Dropping Like Flies

It seems even government jobs aren't safe in Poland anymore - at least not when you're working for the prime minister. A series of sackings that began in July has let to a political crisis in the capital. The first minister to get sacked by PM Jaroslaw Kaczynski was Andrzej Lepper, the populist party leader whose involvement in a corruption scandal lost him his job. Then, that same scandal claimed Interior Minister Janusz Kaczmarek, also on suspicions of corruption. And now, four more have received pink slips from the prime minister: book-banning Education Minister Roman Giertych and Maritime Economy Minister Rafal Wiechecki, both from the right-wing League of Polish Families, as well as Labor Minister Anna Kalata and Construction Minister Andrzej Aumiller, both from the Self Defence Party. The fired ministers were replaced by members of Kaczynski's own party.

While in the case of Giertych we say good riddance, this rapid firing is bound to destabilize the government, as the ruling coalition initially established after elections has completely fallen apart. The prime minister has already announced plans to call elections this fall, two years ahead of schedule. Now that the coalition is dissolved, the PM's party no longer has a majority in the parliament. However, parliament still has to approve an early election, which might not happen as many members would likely lose their jobs were that to happen. At the moment, Poland's political situation is uncertain at best, chaotic at worst, and we will just have to wait and see what will happen this autumn.