Polish government whips up nationalism

Submitted by AWL on 14 December, 2021 - 8:57 Author: Igor Wenc
Polish nationalists

Poland’s hard-right government, previously flagging in the polls, is using the crisis to stir up patriotic support. It has shown itself willing to match Lukashenka’s cynicism and absolute disregard for human life.

The militaristic narrative of refugee pushbacks, presented by the government as defending Polish borders against hybrid war, is based on and feeding into racist and xenophobic tropes of Poland as the “bulwark of Christendom”, combined with playing on the fears of imperial appetites of Russia. This allows them to dehumanise refugees: presenting them as either a direct danger (for those more inclined to explicit racism), or as a means of foreign aggression, that in either case must be stopped at all costs.

PiS ministers have performed stunts like broadcasting old bestiality porn, claiming it showed a migrant on the border having sex with a cow. Officials and state media have accused the Opposition of “treason” and collaborating with Putin and Lukashenka to “attack” Poland’s borders.

State media also organises propaganda support for the Polish Border Patrol and Army, including a concert organized by Polish Television and the Ministry of Defence last Sunday. Titled “Stand by Polish Uniform”, it featured pop stars performing World War Two patriotic songs.

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