18
February 2025
Past Event
Democracy in Poland

Event will also air live on this page.


Inquiries: tmagnuson@hudson.org.
 

Democracy in Poland

Past Event
Hudson Institute
February 18, 2025
Getty Images
Caption
Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk arrives for the annual military parade celebrating Poland’s Armed Forces Day on August 15, 2024, in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Omar Marques/Getty Images)
18
February 2025
Past Event

Event will also air live on this page.


Inquiries: tmagnuson@hudson.org.
 

Speakers:
Matthew Boyse Hudson Institute
Matthew Boyse

Senior Fellow, Center on Europe and Eurasia

Peter Doran
Peter Doran

Adjunct Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Moderator:
James Carafano
James Carafano

Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow, Heritage Foundation

Listen to Event Audio

The debate over what constitutes democratic and acceptable governance in the twenty-first century European Union continues regarding several member states, including Poland. The governing center-left Citizens Coalition, led by the Civic Platform party and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, charges the right-of-center Law and Justice party with violations against democracy, the rule of law, and media freedom. Law and Justice, led by former PM Jaroslaw Kaczynski, denies these charges and accuses the current government of excesses on the same issues.

There is more than one valid view on this nexus of issues, both regarding the period Law and Justice governed Poland (2015–23) and since Civic Coalition took office in December 2023.  They are more complex and nuanced than the prevailing narratives about “democrats” and “illiberal, far-right” politicians.

Join Senior Fellow Matt Boyse and Peter Doran of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies for a discussion of their recent in-depth examination of objectivity, consistency, and politics in the debate about democracy, rule of law, media freedom, and more. Heritage Foundation’s Jim Carafano will moderate the discussion.

Related Events
18
June 2026
Past Event
Advancing American Interests through Trade, Investment, and Commercial Diplomacy: A Conversation with Under Secretary of Commerce William Kimmitt
Featured Speakers:
William Kimmitt
Joel Scanlon
Getty Images
18
June 2026
Past Event
Advancing American Interests through Trade, Investment, and Commercial Diplomacy: A Conversation with Under Secretary of Commerce William Kimmitt

Join Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt for a discussion with Executive Vice President Joel Scanlon on how the Trump administration’s trade and investment strategy is reshaping economic partnerships with allies across areas like industrial policy, digital services, and strategic competition.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
William Kimmitt
Joel Scanlon
25
June 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Securing America’s AI Advantage: A Discussion on US Export Control Policy with Senator Jim Banks and Chairman Brian Mast
Featured Speakers:
Senator Jim Banks
Chairman Brian Mast
Michael Sobolik
Getty Images
25
June 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Securing America’s AI Advantage: A Discussion on US Export Control Policy with Senator Jim Banks and Chairman Brian Mast

Join House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Senator Jim Banks for a fireside chat on Congress's role in US export control strategy to outcompete China in technology and AI development. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Senator Jim Banks
Chairman Brian Mast
Michael Sobolik
25
June 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Navigating Competition in the Central Arctic Ocean
Featured Speakers:
Bryan Clark
Michael Roberts
Scott Highleyman
DVIDS
25
June 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Navigating Competition in the Central Arctic Ocean

Please join Hudson Institute and Ocean Conservancy for a public event on changing conditions in the central Arctic Ocean and the implications for governance, economic development, conservation, and national security.

DVIDS
Featured Speakers:
Bryan Clark
Michael Roberts
Scott Highleyman
18
June 2026
Past Event
Deterring Russia and China: Securing America’s Nuclear Future
Featured Speakers:
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Brandon Williams
Getty Images
18
June 2026
Past Event
Deterring Russia and China: Securing America’s Nuclear Future

Join Senior Fellow and Keystone Defense Initiative Director Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration Brandon Williams for a discussion on the administration's priorities in strengthening the US nuclear enterprise.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Brandon Williams