Whatever it is, it’s rather interesting. The Polish parliamentary elections took place two weeks ago. Under Polish law, the party that finishes first in the popular vote gets the first shot at forming a government—and 30 days to do it in. That means that Law and Justice (PiS), which was easily atop the popular vote at about 36%, gets to try to form a government. This time around it will obviously need to find a coalition partner to do that, since it won only 194 seats, well short of the 230 it would need to form a government, even with the addition of the quirky right Confederation.
Brilliant post. The post-Bugout era is going to be a challenging one for Poland. I hope that enlightened self-interest will hold sway in Poland, but it won’t be easy navigating between US/Nato machinations and the victorious Ruskies. I hope Poland takes the olive branch and cool heads (akin to Orban in Hungary) prevail.
Agreed about the EU. If the Poles think that the Russians want them gone, just wait and see what the EU has planned for them. The Poles represent everything the EU hates: strong national identity, conservative social beliefs and bloody-minded citizens.
Agreed. Secularism only "works" when things are going well and you can hide from reality. We are currently moving out of that phase. As someone said a while back, "Sorry, but the lifestyle you chose is no longer available".
Agreed. However, we've just lived through the greatest period of human plenty (at least in our part of the world) in history. That kind of plenitude has meant that we've been able to believe incredibly stupid things and been cushioned from the consequences. That time is over. It's probably a good time to get right with God.
I believe I've posted these charts or similar ones here before. Poland obtains large subsidies from the EU. It turns around and spends large amounts on military 'defense' through NATO.
Does Medvedev propose to unwind this arrangement? Does Medvedev propose a military alliance with Poland?
Really troubling that the elites have taken such wasteful ruinous decisions for so long. Mr Wauck, very much appreciate the sharing of pertinent Polish media material: we'd not know otherwise (which goes a long way to explain my initial plaint). As things now stand, a formerly stable structure is now very fragile. Energy and food (grain cereals) supplies, specialty metal ores, refugee spigot, cultural heft all favor the Russians today. Natural gas supplies are especially sensitive today, being supplanted by use of big storage tanks and much increased LNG-delivery-by-ship: easily disruptable. I wonder how hard it is becoming for the Russians to not disrupt ME oil markets? They would benefit from the price hikes, but their new BRICS partners would balk at open market costs. The worm always turns in the lands of mice and men
Great article Mark, again. I just wonder which of these comments are from Tom Luongo. GGG Rocks!!!
"Hitler's Dream Come True" - Poles Outraged Over Ex-Ambassador's Suggestion German Troops Be Stationed Permanently
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/hitlers-dream-come-true-poles-outraged-over-ex-ambassadors-suggestion-german-troops-be
Moldova just had local elections. The overall winner appears to be the party of a guy who is considered pro-Russian.
Brilliant post. The post-Bugout era is going to be a challenging one for Poland. I hope that enlightened self-interest will hold sway in Poland, but it won’t be easy navigating between US/Nato machinations and the victorious Ruskies. I hope Poland takes the olive branch and cool heads (akin to Orban in Hungary) prevail.
Agreed about the EU. If the Poles think that the Russians want them gone, just wait and see what the EU has planned for them. The Poles represent everything the EU hates: strong national identity, conservative social beliefs and bloody-minded citizens.
Agreed. Secularism only "works" when things are going well and you can hide from reality. We are currently moving out of that phase. As someone said a while back, "Sorry, but the lifestyle you chose is no longer available".
Agreed. However, we've just lived through the greatest period of human plenty (at least in our part of the world) in history. That kind of plenitude has meant that we've been able to believe incredibly stupid things and been cushioned from the consequences. That time is over. It's probably a good time to get right with God.
https://www.statista.com/chart/18794/net-contributors-to-eu-budget/
https://www.econpol.eu/sites/default/files/2023-05/EconPol-PolicyBrief_50.pdf
I believe I've posted these charts or similar ones here before. Poland obtains large subsidies from the EU. It turns around and spends large amounts on military 'defense' through NATO.
Does Medvedev propose to unwind this arrangement? Does Medvedev propose a military alliance with Poland?
Maybe.
Really troubling that the elites have taken such wasteful ruinous decisions for so long. Mr Wauck, very much appreciate the sharing of pertinent Polish media material: we'd not know otherwise (which goes a long way to explain my initial plaint). As things now stand, a formerly stable structure is now very fragile. Energy and food (grain cereals) supplies, specialty metal ores, refugee spigot, cultural heft all favor the Russians today. Natural gas supplies are especially sensitive today, being supplanted by use of big storage tanks and much increased LNG-delivery-by-ship: easily disruptable. I wonder how hard it is becoming for the Russians to not disrupt ME oil markets? They would benefit from the price hikes, but their new BRICS partners would balk at open market costs. The worm always turns in the lands of mice and men
Yeah.