Notes from Poland

Trouble for Tusk

This week, Notes from Poland editor-at-large Stanley Bill talks about Donald Tusk’s current Polish government with Daniel Tilles, editor-in-chief of the Notes from Poland website.They discuss the government’s record since coming to power in December 2023, the reasons for its falling popularity, including the failure to deliver on key election promises, and ongoing controversies over rule of law.Also take a look at our previous podcast about the Polish government’s controversial new migration strategy with deputy interior minister Maciej Duszczyk.Support the show

"Regaining control of Poland's borders" – interview with deputy interior minister

This week, Notes from Poland editor-at-large Stanley Bill talks about the Polish government’s controversial new migration strategy with deputy interior minister Maciej Duszczyk.They discuss accusations of a "nativist" shift in migration policy among mainstream liberals in Poland and across Europe; the Tusk government's proposals to suspend the right to apply for asylum; the wider transformation of Poland into a major immigration country; and the Polish government's plans to avoid the "mistakes" of Western Europe in the integration of migrants.Producer: Sebastian LeśniewskiSupport the show

The life and politics of the Kaczyński brothers

This week, in a reversal of roles, Notes from Poland editor-at-large Stanley Bill is in the podcast hot seat, speaking about the life and politics of Lech and Jarosław Kaczyński in an interview with Tom Leeman, a researcher based in London.This conversation was recorded jointly with Leeman’s podcast, The Hated and the Dead, which features discussions of the most influential contemporary political figures from across the world. Recent episodes cover Angela Merkel, Viktor Orban, Xi Jinping, and Mikhail Gorbachev, among many others. In this episode, we explore the success and significance of the Kaczyńskis and their politics.Also check out our recent interview with Poland's deputy foreign minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk on the Polish government’s war reparations claims of approximately $1.3 trillion against Germany.Producer: Sebastian LeśniewskiSupport the show

"We have the right to German reparations": interview with the MP behind Poland's claim

This week, Notes from Poland editor-at-large Stanley Bill talks about the Polish government's war reparations claims of approximately $1.3 trillion against Germany with Arkadiusz Mularczyk, an MP from ruling party PiS and chair of the Parliamentary Group for the Estimation of the Amount of Compensation due to Poland from Germany for Damage Caused during the Second World War.They discuss the substance and politics of the compensation claims, Germany’s response, controversy over Jewish victims, and what next steps Poland might take.Producer: Sebastian Leśniewski Support the show

"NATO peacekeepers needed in Ukraine": interview with Poland's deputy foreign minister

This week, Notes from Poland editor-at-large Stanley Bill talks with Paweł Jabłoński, Poland's deputy foreign minister, about Russia's war on Ukraine and its ramifications for Poland.They discuss what Poland is currently doing to help Ukraine, a new proposal to send NATO peacekeepers into the embattled country, energy sanctions, and the unfolding refugee crisis.Also take a look at our previous interview with the deputy foreign minister on the conflict between Poland and the EU over rule of law.Producer: Sebastian LeśniewskiSupport the show