Wind of history

Withdrawal from the European Union?

Marcin Masny

On 10 February 1976 the Polish Parliament passed the amendments to the Constitution of the Polish People's Republic. From that time the superior law was 'the inseparable relation of the Polish-Russian friendship.' The Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR) became the 'leading political power of the society in building socialism' whereas the National Unity Front became 'the area of activities of social organisations of working people and patriotic organisations uniting all citizens.'
The newly-negotiated novelisation of the present Constitution, according to the presidential-parliamentary project, states that 'the Republic of Poland is a Member State of the European Union, which respects the sovereignty and national identity of Member States.' Now the novelisation lacks the article 'The Civic Platform is the leading power in the disassembly of Poland.' But if the parliamentary opposition does not tidy itself up (using my children's favourite phrase) the Civic Platform will remain the PZPR, or rather the National Unity Front named after Donald Tusk for long. The 'reformative' government of professionals of Michal Kleiber or another professor will remain a dream of the 'modernizers.' Let me remind you: Michal Kleiber is a vive-la-joie who said one week after the Fukushima disaster, 'In Japan there is no nuclear catastrophe.'
It is good that the constitution provides for a procedure to withdraw from the European Union. Such a decision is to be taken by the President at the motion of the government approved by the Parliament and the Senate. 'The Parliament passes a Bill with a supporting vote of the majority of the votes cast, at least two-thirds of its members in the presence of at least half the members and passed by the Senate by at least two-thirds of the votes taken in the presence of at least half of the statutory number of Senators.'
Poland will have to leave the EU. The Union will never be the one that John Paul II wanted. Since if it is to be a vehicle to revive Europe the present EU elite would have to go suddenly under escort to some desert island. The chance for revival will come but then the EU will not exist.
Currently, there are two tendencies in the EU. It will be a totalitarian, atheistic, new Soviet Union (but richer) or it will fall apart. The second option is almost bound to happen. When the EU falls apart Poland may have some remains of statehood and property but it may only be a German land. Facing the unavoidable chaos after the European collapse Poles will need their own state. The province on the Vistula, devoid of state infrastructure, will be a prey for some first looter. That's why, instead of dreaming of some better Union, far-sighted Poles will certainly organise themselves to political work to restore the Polish statehood outside of the Union. The majority of the nation will demand that in several years at the latest or perhaps in several months. The sooner we unhitch ourselves from the chariot dashing towards abyss the better. Building a rational system we will rebound and at that time 'old Europe' will bankrupt. 'Old Europe' knows that such a scenario is possible. That's why it wants to make us more dependent on itself. Now, as I have predicted, Germany, by the voice of the opposition leader, is loudly appealing for a German-French-Polish army. Under whose command?
It is hard to imagine that the President supporting the Civic Platform and the government of the Civic Platform will suddenly listen to the opinions of awaken Poles and will lead us out from the falling EU. Thus very urgent questions are raised: Is there a conspicuous leader able to undertake this task in Poland? Is there any centre, desirably a non-party one, that can ensure two-thirds of the votes in the Parliament and the Senate? I would like to believe that there are positive answers to both questions.

"Niedziela" 32/2011

Editor: Tygodnik Katolicki "Niedziela", ul. 3 Maja 12, 42-200 Czestochowa, Polska
Editor-in-chief: Fr Jaroslaw Grabowski • E-mail: redakcja@niedziela.pl