Last Friday, Bronisław Komorowski was officially sworn in as Poland’s next president. Even though the campaign is over, political mudslinging and party animosity continues, as demonstrated by recent clashes over a cross erected in front of the presidential palace to commemorate the plane crash that killed President Kaczyński, First Lady Maria Kaczyńska and 94 others.

Having benefited from Poland’s ability to withstand the worst of the global financial crisis, Civic Platform (PO) and President Komorowski campaigned on the promise of a modern, competent government and continued economic and structural reforms. One of the main arguments against voting for Jarosław Kaczyński and PiS was that critical legislative proposals would risk being vetoed, and therefore, stifle Poland’s economic recovery and social development.

Now that Mr Komorowski is president, all eyes will be on PO and their ability to successfully tackle Poland’s major challenges, including the rising deficit, unemployment, tax reform, social transfers and economic competitiveness. The government’s response to recent floods in southern Poland, and especially its ability to assist (and compensate) flood victims, will also determine the government’s capacity and credibility for crisis management. This summer’s floods have caused approximately €2.9 billion in damage and affected over a quarter of a million inhabitants. In addition, thousands of kilometers of regional and local roads (including bridges) have been destroyed, adding to Poland’s long-standing infrastructure woes. Let’s not forget the Euro 2012 soccer championship is just around the corner.

More importantly, the Komorowski victory will be a major test for PO before parliamentary elections take place in October 2011. On the one hand real tangible reforms cannot come without austerity measures and some social pain, as evidenced throughout Europe. On the other, the Polish electorates’ tolerance for additional public-spending cuts and growing financial burdens is waning.

In both cases, inaction risks tarnishing PO’s reform credentials. If President Komorowski fails voters’ expectations, this will only embolden PiS and draw new supporters. The August break will soon be over and it will be time to get to work. PO’s plate already looks full.

 

As the Polish nation mourns the tragic death of President Kaczynski, First Lady Kaczynska and 96 other Polish dignitaries, the implications of this traumatic event on Poland’s psyche, political landscape and upcoming elections have already made their way into the public discourse.

As relevant as these questions may be, it is equally important for us Poles to take a step back and truly examine the lives and sacrifices of those who perished in Smolensk, on their way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Katyń massacre.

In addition to the president, first lady and several high ranking military, political and religious leaders the ill-fated Tupolev carried heroes like Anna Walentynowicz, the spark plug that started the Solidarity movement, Czesław Cywinski, President of the Association of the Former Polish Resistance, and Ryszard Kaczorowski, Poland’s last President in Exile. At 80 and 90 years of age, they not only represented Poland’s moral and historic conscience, but were key members of a “greatest” generation who sadly continue to leave us (along with their memories, eye-witness accounts and reflections).

At a time when historic revisionism has surfaced in Russia, Germany, the United States and even Poland, it is critical that we properly study our nation’s past, preserve it and most importantly educate future generations. Case in point, over the last year, due to sheer ignorance or perhaps outright disdain for Poland, columnists in mainstream media outlets like the UK’s Guardian and the Washington Post keep referring to “Polish concentration camps” (rather than German or Nazi) when writing about the Holocaust.

This is all the more necessary as a new generation of Poles grows up knowing little about WWII and whose only recollection of Communism is via history text books or occasional family anecdotes. For many outside of Poland, Saturday’s crash was the first time they ever even heard of Katyń or the massacres that took place there in 1940. This does not mean we should dwell on the sins of Fascism, Stalinism or communism, but simply to acknowledge their existence, perpetrators and profiteers. How else can we learn and move Poland forward?

One of President Kaczynski’s lasting legacies will be his commitment to preserve the memory of those lost during WWII and honor the victims of Katyń and communist oppression on an international scale. Importantly, it aroused a sense of national consciousness. As Mayor of Warsaw, he was instrumental in establishing the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Communism Museum and the close to completed Museum of Polish Jewry.

Once our grief has subsided, all Poles, but especially the younger generation need, to step up and take a more active (and leadership) role in Poland’s political life. After all, they will be the stewards of Poland’s future. Being cognizant of Poland’s past not only enables future generations to build trust and forge new partnerships with our neighbors, but also strengthens the commitment to shared values upon which a united Europe was founded. We cannot expect others to respect our history, unless we respect and honor it ourselves. That is the greatest living tribute we can give to honor those that died.