It is Poland that is a member of the European Union, and it is the same country that negotiates reduction of the emissions of greenhouse gasses in Copenhagen. It is a state. But what about people, what about Mr Kowalski, you can meet on bus stop on your way to work? What about his wife and family, what about Poles, what about citizens?

After a long pause, moment of silence and confusion I came to the subjective conclusion that in the negotiation process or even in the process leading to the negotiations there is a big gap which in civilised societies is called ignorance or misinformation. I do not recall government asking the nation what we think about global warming, I do not recall campaigns to make polish people aware that the climate change is a serious challenge. I also do not recall the questions who in Poland are the serious emitter of greenhouse gasses? It is not the single mother; it is not the unemployed man sipping the beer around the corner. Who then? Poles will not engage in such a discussion. We are happy to have a free country; country where we cannot execute our rights, where poor has no voice and no access to legal representation, where job opportunity is blessed by God. So please do not ask us to understand why we need to pay for the emissions of greenhouse gasses, all gasses we know are the gasses of nonsense. Please forgive our rich, coal companies, oil importers, car makers, all this unfortunate people of plenty! Please have a heart!

The great and powerful friend of Poland, The President of the United States asked the Government to contribute more troops to Afghan campaign. The response was at least prompt and positive. Poland is ready to send 600 extra soldiers to join the 2000 who are already deployed.

The politicians from the ruling party comment that the decision is with accord to the Polish security strategy and in the future will produce political capital on the international stage. One should ask – why we need it? Is there a secret grand plan for a new role of Poland on the international stage? What is so important that Poland should risk the life of 600 more soldiers and 80 mln zlotych yearly? To be blunt, what will we get in return? Would it be a missile shield or new communication technology, more planes, security guarantees? One thing we will get for sure is more promises. That is undoubtedly the favourite diplomatic currency of the US administration towards Eastern European allies.

Everyone who is convinced that corruption in the Republic of Poland is a serious problem is wrong. This worldwide known and practiced phenomenon in the case of this particular country is a firm constituent of nearly every aspect of everyday existence. It has its source at the shared belief of the ordinary Poles that bribe is the easiest way to get things done properly, on time and in favour. The appalling is a fact that this belief has too often the reflection in the reality. Widespread ‘low corruption’ disperses on every public institution imaginable. It ought to be considered a wishful thinking to reckon that there are exceptions. All tiers of local government as well as its associated subsidiaries, services and offices are infested with corruption. Healthcare, Police, Fire Service, transport, sport, education, environment, military, Church and what is the most disturbing business cannot be considered without taking corruption in one form or another into the account.

In October Poland has witnessed a series of spectacular arrests, leaks of surveillance materials, media battles and dismissals. All of these events had been somehow related to the activities of the relatively new Secret Service called Central Anticorruption Bureau. According to its own mission statement, the CBA combats corruption in public and private sector, especially in the State and self-government institutions, as well as fights against any activity, which may endanger the State’s economic interests. The Bureau has been brought to life in July 2006 to clear polish political life of the corrupted individuals and groups. Its founding Bill has given the Service very broad operational freedom. This, in consequence, equipped the officers of the CBA with a right to surveillance the society in pursuit of corruption, and it would be absolutely justified if not the case, that certain parts of the ‘secret’ materials quite often can be found in the evening news or dailies. Quite recently the Head of the Bureau Mr. Mariusz Kaminski had been dismissed on the grounds of using its powers for political ends. All the above should lead to the question, whether the tackling of corruption by policing it by Secret Service is a best way to go? Given the specific nature of corruption in Poland the answer is NO!

If Poland is serious about its aspirations to join G20 and increase its economic role in the region, it is a highest time to rethink strategy how to fight corruption. This phenomenon needs to be approached from many angles. One of them needs to be education and the second introduction of a clear, cohesive and comprehensive legal and administrative system. Even if equipped with the army of Bonds it is highly unlikely, that corruption will be tackled in the environment of legal uncertainty, ineffective and clogged courts and offices, as well as in the sea of prolonged and complex administrative procedures.

After a period of a relative decency in the political life, maybe related to the wintry conditions in Central Europe and maybe to the gloomy echoes of the recession hitting the economy, Polish political nature has begun to wake up for an usually disappointing Spring opening. A hope for a renewal and refurbishment in the relations between Presidential Palace and Chancellery of Prime Minister disappeared when two gentlemen came back to the business as usual – meat battle – partisan rhetoric exchanged on the almost every occasion. The coalition Government itself can feel a melting confidence thanks to the media inquiry into the alleged public-private partnership set up by vice Prime Minister from the Peoples Party for the benefit of his family. Mr Waldemar Pawlak being under pressure has agreed to answer to the allegations on the press conference, which instead of giving a clear explanation evolved into the fierce defence of the Vice Prime Minister’s Mother. The opposition protested and demands official inquiry, the Prime Minister refused to comment the entire issue, the nation concludes: nihil novi sub sole. Ok, yes, yes, it is Poland but what the hell it is all about? The masses in Poland need entertainment and the Civic Platform needs coalition. It is not likely that Mr Pawlak’s behaviour will have any political not to mention legal consequences. Why? One can speculate that there is an untold agreement between Mr Tusk who has ambitions to become a President and Mr Pawlak who obviously has no chances but in the crucial moment will ask his supporters which account to approximately 10% of the electorate to vote on Mr Tusk. Canny…isn’t?

In recent weeks one can observe unthinkable improvement in communication between the President and the Prime Minister. Despite the disappointment for the sensation chasing journalists both of the gentlemen act, behave and speak with an increased sensibility for the vision of the ruling Polish political elite. The peculiar conflict over the seat at the table on EU meetings seems to have been disarmed for a time being and the words: ‘debate’ and ‘dialog’ have returned from the long lasting banishment. Last Sunday in Brussels on the informal meeting of the EU leaders Mr Tusk had played first strings, which fact, at least on cameras, made Mr Topolanek look a bit off-balance. According to polskieradio.pl Mr Tusk had meet with the president of the European Investment Bank Philippe Maystadt, and later on with the head of the European Commission Jose Barosso. The prime minister had also attended meetings with the leaders of the Visegrad Group, the Baltic states as well as Romania and Bulgaria. Could it be waves of Sarkozian energy which have awaken the spirit of leadership in Polish Prime minister? In the times of the recession casting a shadow over the power houses of Eastern Europe action is better than inaction, therefore the credit for calling the meeting should be paid to Mr Tusk, even though nothing of substance has been produced neither declared, maybe except that in the time of crisis, maintaining solidarity in Europe is of paramount importance. One could hear some assurances of mere 1bn Euro loans for investment in the Polish infrastructure, however the question arises: would that suffice to save the largest economy of a new EU member states?