Father Rydzyk controls a media empire accused of amplifying homophobic and sexist views. Now, he’s seen as the driving force behind a new party aiming at the European parliament elections in May.

On Monday, October 3, 2016 the landscape of social movements in Poland changed. What surprised many observers and academics was the distribution of protest events throughout the country.

“I could not think of a better way to grasp what is behind the nationalist frenzy than to take part in their public events. On November 11, Poland celebrated National Independence Day.”

As Poland prepares for another divisive and violent independence day holiday on 11 November (celebrating "100 years of independence"), we look at the polarising TV coverage of last year’s event.

The decimated left faces a considerable challenge in distinguishing itself from the liberal opposition.

The UK media likes to blame far right gains elsewhere – as in Sweden’s recent election – on PR. In fact the evidence shows disproportional voting systems give more power to the extreme right.

The crucial role of the ECJ appears even more important in present times, when things taken forgranted, such as democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law, are in danger.

Ordo luris is an extreme anti-choice group whose founders were ‘inspired’ by a controversial Catholic fundamentalist network. How has it gained so much political power?

There is a growing climate of suspicion and hostility towards those viewed as outsiders to the predominantly white and Catholic nation.

It’s not only the language and resetting of the agenda that the ruling parties of Hungary and Poland have in common. However, they do not mirror each other either.

The most popular political philosopher of his generation makes an invaluable contribution to openDemocracy's debate on liberal responsibility worldwide for the rise of the hard right.

Three elements seem to have played a decisive role in this: voluntary servitude, the Polish brand of inferiority complex, and a deep-seated Polish anti-Semitism and more general exclusivism.

Players, managers and supporters of AKS Zły in Poland take their sport seriously and know that winning is the best way to show that an alternative way of playing football is possible.

This new law exploits the spirit of such legislation in order to bolster the ruling majority’s authority and to further intimidate vulnerable groups. 

For centuries, Europe’s Christians have shut Jews behind ghetto walls. Now, Polish Christians intend to shut the voice of Jewish suffering into a ghetto of silence behind a legal wall.

"We are very aware, when it comes to the whole Greek experience, that one of the problems the political left faces is … what it means to be able to implement your own ideas."

There is a growing atmosphere of hatred in which anyone who opposes the current government is labeled the ‘worst sort’, or even ‘Soviet murderers’.

Aristides de Sousa Mendes chose his conscience over his orders. His altruism should be an example for all those struggling to change a world that is once again failing to protect its citizens.   

Women are playing a key role in the ongoing Polish protests - and this time they won't be silenced.

The Polish government's proposed law to take control of the country's judiciary is the latest in a worrying trend towards authoritarianism in the country.