There are indications that the time of increased political activity began in Poland, similar to the one we have observed in Spain since 2011. In neither country it is determined yet whether the changes triggered by this will be of constructive or destructive nature. It is certain, however, that Poles will benefit from looking at themselves through a Spanish mirror. For it is possible that the Spaniards are ahead of us by one economic crisis and one political cycle. Commentary (excerpts) by Paweł Zerka.
Making a ‘historical parallel’ between Poland and Spain is an almost 200-years tradition. It was initiated by Joachim Lelewel1, and then continued by, among others, Ksawery Pruszyński during the interwar period and Jan Kieniewicz at the threshold of 21st century2. Over the past 25 years, many a time was Spain put as a role model for Poland: as a European country of comparable size that is situated at the edge of the continent as we are, as well as a country which was successful over a long period of time with respect to ending the authoritarian rule, democratization, overcoming the civilization backwardness and re-integration with Europe and the West.
It wasn’t until the economic and social crisis in 2011 that the perception of Spain – by Western Europe, Poland and the Iberian Peninsula itself – was changed. It did not, however, diminish Poles’ interest. The change consisted mainly of the fact that Spain ceased to be presented solely as a role model, and more often it was evoked as a warning instead (as Lelewel and Pruszyński used to do): against ill-considered spending of EU funds, a too hasty entry into the Eurozone, excessive investment in real estate and not remedying the situation of jobless youth. The Polish-Spanish parallel is still relevant, even if the subject of comparison changed.
Author of the comment: Paweł Zerka, Head of research, Foreign policy and international relations
