National Movement (Poland)

The National Movement (Polish: Ruch Narodowy, Polish pronunciation: [rux na.rɔˈdɔ.vɨ], RN) is a Polish far-right ultranationalist political party. It is led by Krzysztof Bosak. It claims spiritual descendance from the prewar movement of Roman Dmowski, the National Democracy, which was also commonly called the National Movement.

National Movement
Ruch Narodowy
PresidentKrzysztof Bosak
Vice PresidentsAnna Bryłka, Krzysztof Tuduj, Michał Wawer
Founded11 November 2012 (2012-11-11) (as an organization)
10 December 2014 (2014-12-10) (as a political party)
Registered11 February 2015 (2015-02-11)
28 February 2018 (2018-02-28) (again)
Dissolved16 January 2017 (2017-01-16)
Headquartersul. Stanisława Noakowskiego 10/12,
00-666 Warsaw
IdeologyUltranationalism
National conservatism
Hard Euroscepticism
Militarism
Economic nationalism
Political positionFar-right
ReligionCatholic Church
National affiliationConfederation Liberty and Independence
European affiliationPatriots.eu
European Parliament groupPatriots for Europe
Sejm
7 / 460
Senate
0 / 100
European Parliament
2 / 53
Regional assemblies
0 / 552

It was founded in 2012 as an organization, and in 2014 it was registered as a political party. It is a part of the Confederation Liberty and Independence, and it currently has seven members in the Sejm.[1] It is a far-right political party and it is orientated towards socially conservative and militarist stances.

National Congress Meetings

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The First Congress of the National Movement took place on 8 June 2013 in Warsaw. Guest of honor at the congress was Rafał Ziemkiewicz. Representatives of the groups co-create the movement and signed the declaration of ideological National Movement.

The Second Congress of the National Movement took place on 3 May 2014 in Warsaw. Honorary guests of the congress were Leszek Zebrowski, Stanisław Michalkiewicz and Márton Gyöngyösi of the Hungarian Jobbik.[2] Also the guest list included the party's other international allies: Roberto Fiore of Forza Nuova (Italian: New Force)', and the leaders of the Spanish Democracia Nacional. The congress passed the following demands of the program:[3]

Ideology

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The National Movement is positioned on the far-right on the political spectrum.[4] It has been described as an ultranationalist,[5][6][7] Polish nationalist,[8][9] and national-conservative party.[10] It is explicitly socially conservative,[11] and it has militarist tendencies.[12] It has also expressed hard Eurosceptic sentiment.[13][14][15]

Program

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As adopted in the January 2013 declaration of ideology, the decision-making council of the National Movement has indicated its three main components: identity (nation, family, people), sovereignty (the state, culture, economy) and freedom (of speech, management, people); identified the awareness and commitment of the young generation of Poles as the strength of the National Movement and pledged to work on the transformation of the homeland, emphasized the idea of the nation, understood as a cultural community formed by generations.[16] National Movement advocates fight for the sovereignty of the country, to repair the political and economic state and defending the freedom of its citizens, as well as the realisation in the sphere of culture and politics of traditional values.[17] The purpose of the Movement is a fundamental social change – the so-called "Overthrow of the republic of the Round Table". It declares itself as a social movement which is a network of community initiatives for state sovereignty and national identity.

The progress of civilisation, which was to take place in Poland thanks to EU funds, is treated as a partial compensation for the losses that Poland suffered in connection with the unilateral opening of the market in the pre-accession period, while Polish banking sector depends on foreign capital.[18]

Economy

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The outline of the economic program was presented by Krzysztof Bosak during the second congress of the Movement. According to the RN, it is possible to combine a wide range of economic freedoms with constructive approach to the state, furnished on the basis of the principles of thrift and subsidiarity.[19] The establishment of the Institute for National Strategy, will bring together experts and work out a modern program for the National Movement.

The movement is opposed to the introduction of the euro in Poland.

Foreign policy

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The National Movement is a eurosceptic grouping.

In a joint statement with the Hungarian Jobbik on the situation in Ukraine, they have indicated a desire to deepen cooperation between the two groups. They announced the Polish-Hungarian exchange of lists of candidates for election to the European Parliament in 2014 (which ultimately did not happen).[20] Hungarian and Polish nationalists believe that national governments devote national interests in favour of eurofederalism. In this particular case, both national movements called together the national authorities of their countries for political and diplomatic efforts to protect the endangered rights of national minorities in Ukraine due to the revolutionary mood in the east, including promoting the symbolism and characters associated with the Ukrainian ethnic chauvinism that in the context of historical experience violently celebrated national minorities in these lands.[clarification needed]

The National Movement initially wanted to improve relations with Russia, considering it as a superpower and claiming that it was not a threat to Poland on any level, as well as supporting the reconstruction of commercial relations with Russia. It also believed that the presence of allied NATO and American troops is "the reverse of allied support, which strengthens Poland's dependence and dependability in its defense capabilities". It instead proposed to work with Russia and China as an antidote to the influence of the United States and Germany, calling it a "multi-vector policy".[21]

However, following critical Russian remarks regarding Polish conduct during the Second World War, the National Movement's stance has become more negative towards Russia.[22] The party has disavowed the pro-Russian stance of its political ally Janusz Korwin-Mikke[23] and condemned the Russian annexation of Crimea.[24] The party has suggested Russia was coordinating with Israel, which has expressed similar criticisms of Polish conduct during the Second World War.[25] Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Bosak called for banning Russia from SWIFT and stopping visas for Russian nationals.[26] Winnicki has described Russia as an "existential threat to Polish interests".[27] The party's vice-president, Anna Bryłka, has described Russia and Belarus as engaged in a "hybrid war" against Poland,[28] and has stated the party is opposed to Nord Stream 2 and restoration of diplomatic relations with Russia.[29]

LGBT rights

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The party opposes same sex rights and pro-LGBT marches, and its leaders have described homosexuality as "a disease", frequently arranging counter demonstrations.[30][31][32]

Participation in elections

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Elections to the European Parliament in 2014

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The National Movement announced their desire to take part in the elections to the European Parliament on 7 January 2014 which were to be held in the same year. The movement's policies for these elections were: Building a "Europe of Homelands" through annulling the Lisbon Treaty, furthering the anti-gender campaign, promoting Polish historical policy at the EU level, striving for the rights of Poles abroad (especially in Lithuania), withdrawal from the climate package, and promoting Polish mining and coal-based energy. The National Movement fielded candidates in all constituencies.[33] In the elections 98,626 people voted for the National Movement, which gave it 1.4% of the vote (ninth place overall).[34]

Senate by-elections in 2014

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In the by-election to district No. 47 of the Senate on 7 September 2014, the candidate of the National Movement, Krzysztof Bosak, received 6.42% of votes, which placed him in third place out of six candidates.[35]

Presidential elections in 2015

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In the Polish presidential election in 2015, the party fielded a candidate, Marian Kowalski, a columnist and bodybuilder. He was eliminated in the first-round with only 77,630 votes, a 0.52% share.[36][37]

Parliamentary elections 2015

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In the 2015 parliamentary election, the RN cooperated with Kukiz'15, whose five of 42 seats were held by National Movement members.[38] In April 2016 National Movement management decided to leave Kukiz's movement, but only one MP followed party instruction. Those who stayed in Kukiz'15 formed association "National Democracy" (Endecja) along with a few other Kukiz'15 MPs.[39]

Elections to the European Parliament in 2019

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In 2019, the National Movement has created an anti-European Union coalition called Konfederacja Korwin Liroy Braun Narodowcy.[40] The coalition got 621,188 votes (4.55%).

Parliamentary elections 2019

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For the 2019 elections, the National Movement continued to be part of the Confederation and the coalition was one of only five electoral committees with candidates in all electoral districts. This time they made it into the Sejm with 6.81% of the vote. The coalition got 11 MPs, of which five belong to the National Movement.

Presidential elections in 2020

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For the Polish presidential election in 2020, the Confederation had a primary. Vice-chairman Krzysztof Bosak ran in the primary as the candidate for the National Movement.[41] He won the primary and was nominated by the Confederation on 18 January.[42]

Election results

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Presidential

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Election Candidate 1st round 2nd round
# of overall votes % of overall vote # of overall votes % of overall vote
2015 Marian Kowalski 77,630 0.52 (#9)
2020 Krzysztof Bosak 1,317,380 6.78 (#4)

Sejm

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Election Leader Votes % Seats Change Government
2015 Robert Winnicki 1,339,094 8.8(#3)
3 / 460
New PiS
As part of Kukiz'15, that won 42 seats in total.
2019 Robert Winnicki 1,256,953 6.8 (#5)
5 / 460
  2 PiS
As part of the Confederation coalition, that won 11 seats in total.
2023 Krzysztof Bosak 1,547,364 7.2 (#5)
6 / 460
  1 KOPL2050KPNL
As part of the Confederation coalition, that won 18 seats in total.

European Parliament

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Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– EP Group
2014 Robert Winnicki 98,626 1.47 (#9)
0 / 52
New
2019 Robert Winnicki 621,188 4.55 (#4)
0 / 52
New
As part of the Confederation coalition, that didn't win any seat.
2024 Krzysztof Bosak 1,420,287 12.08 (#3)
2 / 53
  2 PfE
As part of the Confederation coalition, that won 6 seats in total.

References

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  1. ^ Rogacin, Kacper (27 February 2019). "Konfederacja KORWiN, Liroy, Braun, Narodowcy. Zaprezentowano nazwę i logo. Znamy szczegóły". Portal I.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
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  5. ^ Boreczky, Chance (30 September 2019). "Kaczyński's Mazurka". bpr.berkeley.edu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
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  8. ^ Kossakowski, Radosław; Besta, Tomasz (November 2018). "Football, Conservative Values, and a Feeling of Oneness with the Group: A Study of Polish Football Fandom". East European Politics and Societies: And Cultures. 32 (4): 16. doi:10.1177/0888325418756991. ISSN 0888-3254. S2CID 149395472. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
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  20. ^ "Polscy narodowcy idą z Jobbikiem do UE". Wyborcza.pl. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
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  22. ^ "Robert Winnicki z Konfederacji wie, jak wykiwać Władimira Putina. "Musimy być jak Żydzi. Musimy być sprytni" [VIDEO]". 16 January 2020. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  23. ^ "Narodowcy krytycznie o wypowiedziach Korwin-Mikkego". 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Zapomniałby o kłamstwach? Bosak spotkałby się z Putinem". Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  25. ^ "Bosak: Politykom PiS umykały bliskie stosunki Rosji z Izraelem". 20 January 2020. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  26. ^ "Krzysztof Bosak: Należy powstrzymać przyznawanie wiz Rosjanom". Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Kongres Ruchu Narodowego. Partia zapowiada ofensywę". Media Narodowe. 11 June 2022. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Rzeczniczka Konfederacji o Wagnerowcach: Białoruś i Rosja wypowiedziały nam wojnę hybrydową". WNET. 29 June 2023.
  29. ^ ""Nie zgadzam się programowo". Europosłanka Konfederacji o AfD". polsatnews.pl. 29 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Festiwal nienawiści na Marszu Równości w Katowicach. Niewyobrażalne zachowanie narodowców". Natemat.pl. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  31. ^ "Marsz Równości w Częstochowie. "Homopropaganda nie dotrze na Jasną Górę"". Dorzeczy.pl. 8 July 2018. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  32. ^ "Wyborcza.pl". Katowice.wyborcza.pl. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  33. ^ "Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza – Komitet Wyborczy Wyborców Ruch Narodowy". Pe2014.pkw.gov.pl. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  34. ^ "Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza – Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza". Archive.is. Archived from the original on 24 August 2014.
  35. ^ "PKW – PKW". Senat47.pkw.gov.pl. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  36. ^ "Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza" (PDF). Prezydent2015.pkw.gov.pl. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  37. ^ "Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza" (PDF). Prezydent2015.pkw.gov.pl. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  38. ^ "Posłowie Ruchu Narodowego w Sejmie". Ruchnarodowy.net. 27 October 2015. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  39. ^ "Powsta?o Stowarzyszenie Endecja z udzia?em pos??w Kukiza – Kukiz'15 – rp.pl". Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  40. ^ Białczyk, oprac Piotr (25 April 2019). "Wybory do Parlamentu Europejskiego 2019. Konfederacja ma nowego szefa". wiadomosci.wp.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  41. ^ "Krzysztof Bosak - Kandydat na urząd Prezydenta RP". Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  42. ^ "Krzysztof Bosak kandydatem Konfederacji na prezydenta Polski, pokonał Grzegorza Brauna | Wiadomości Radio ZET". 18 January 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.

Sources

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  • Tokarz, Grzegorz (2002). Ruch narodowy w Polsce w latach 1989–1997. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego