The pillars of Poland’s democracy are being destroyed | Timothy Garton Ash

With attacks on the constitution, media and civil service, events have taken a dangerous turn. The country’s traditional friends should raise their voices

Poland, the pivotal power in post-communist central Europe, is in danger of being reduced by its recently elected ruling party to an illiberal democracy. Basic pillars of its still youthful liberal democracy, such as the constitutional court, public service broadcasters and a professional civil service, are suddenly under threat. The voices of all allied democracies, in Europe and across the Atlantic, must be raised to express their concern about a turn with grave implications for the whole democratic west.

Related: Polish president signs bill putting state media under government control

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