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| In 1989, the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]-backed [[Solidarity Citizens' Committee|Solidarity]] party led by [[Lech Wałęsa]] organized a [[counterrevolution]] to establish [[capitalism]].<ref name=":0" /> | | In 1989, the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]-backed [[Solidarity Citizens' Committee|Solidarity]] party led by [[Lech Wałęsa]] organized a [[counterrevolution]] to establish [[capitalism]].<ref name=":0" /> |
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| == Economy ==
| | == Anti-communism == |
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| === Energy ===
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| Poland's electrical system is dominated by fossil fuel energy, and particularly coal power. Coal generated virtually all of the country's total electricity generation in 1990, and approximately 70% in 2021.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=International Energy Agency|title=Poland|date=2022|url=https://www.iea.org/countries/poland|archive-url=https://archive.ph/neq5d|archive-date=2023-10-27|retrieved=2023-10-27}}</ref> Renewable energy such as wind power generated 20% of the country's electricity in 2021, though its maximum generative capacity is almost double this.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Kira Taylor|newspaper=Euractiv|title=Poland’s renewables capacity growing but coal still dominates – report|date=2023-05-14|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/polands-renewables-capacity-growing-but-coal-still-dominates-report/|archive-url=https://archive.ph/yHIcQ|archive-date=2023-10-27|retrieved=2023-10-27}}</ref> It is the EU's second largest coal polluter and has 42 coal power plants, and the Belchatow Power Station, the largest of its kind in Europe, generates 20% of Poland's electricity alone. The Polish government therefore generally opposes measures to cut subsidies for coal power.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Gavin Maguire|newspaper=Reuters|title=Europe's clashes over coal may extend well beyond Poland|date=2023-06-20|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/europes-clashes-over-coal-may-extend-well-beyond-poland-2023-06-20/|archive-url=https://archive.ph/H61sx|archive-date=2023-06-20|retrieved=2023-10-27}}</ref>
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| Before the [[2022 Russo-Ukrainian conflict]], Russian coal was a crucial part of Poland's energy mix. The sanctions that Poland placed on Russia officially banned coal imports from Russia, but nonetheless Russian coal continues to enter the country, with almost one million tonnes being brought into the country via ships, with coal flagged as being from Kazakhstan and other non-Russian countries.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Aleksandra Krzysztoszek|newspaper=Euractiv|title=Polish senator: Russian coal still flowing into Poland|date=2023-09-28|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/polish-senator-russian-coal-still-flowing-into-poland/|archive-url=https://archive.ph/p42D3|archive-date=2023-09-28|retrieved=2023-10-27}}</ref>
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| Polish government officials have insisted that nuclear power will be a core part of their green transition, and necessary to achieve climate targets. It does not currently have any functioning nuclear power plants, but wishes to have its first nuclear reactor begin construct in 2026, and operational by the early 2030s.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Kira Taylor|newspaper=Euractiv|title=Poland insists on nuclear’s role in green transition|date=2023-09-27|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/poland-insists-on-nuclears-role-in-green-transition/|archive-url=https://archive.ph/5orEz|archive-date=2023-09-27|retrieved=2023-10-27}}</ref> In September 2023, this planned nuclear reactor, in Choczewo, passed the environmental decision, which is the pre-requisite for the decision to begin construction.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Wojciech Kosc|newspaper=Business News Europe|title=Poland’s first nuclear power plant clears key hurdle in ambitiously timed plan|date=2023-09-25|url=https://bne.eu/poland-s-first-nuclear-power-plant-clears-key-hurdle-in-ambitiously-timed-plan-294031/|archive-url=https://archive.ph/oOWYi|archive-date=2023-09-28|retrieved=2023-10-27}}</ref>
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| == Politics ==
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| === 2020s ===
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| In October 2023, the Polish elections were held and the ruling Law and Justice party won the plurality of the votes but failed to achieve a majority. It is generally believed that the Law and Justice party has no viable way to form a coalition to achieve a majority in parliament. Former Prime Minister [[Donald Tusk]] is in command of an opposition bloc that collectively achieved a majority in parliament. In November 2023, the Law and Justice Party will attempt to form a coalition government under the incumbent Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. If they fail, then Donald Tusk will likely become Poland's new Prime Minister.<ref>{{Web citation|author=VANESSA GERA|newspaper=Associated Press|title=Poland’s president calls for new parliament to hold first session Nov. 13|date=2023-10-26|url=https://apnews.com/article/poland-election-government-duda-47922395d28d55809f2689ac62376f27|archive-url=https://archive.ph/e22Ix|archive-date=2023-10-27|retrieved=2023-10-27}}</ref>
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| === Anti-communism ===
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| Right-wing president Andrzej Duda banned the [[Polish Communist Party (2002)|Communist Party of Poland]] and criminalized the promotion of communist ideas.<ref name=":0" /> | | Right-wing president Andrzej Duda banned the [[Polish Communist Party (2002)|Communist Party of Poland]] and criminalized the promotion of communist ideas.<ref name=":0" /> |
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| == Military ==
| | == NATO == |
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| === NATO ===
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| Poland is currently occupied by approximately 10,000 [[United States of America|U.S.]] troops. In March 2018, Poland signed a $4.75 billion with arms dealer [[Raytheon Technologies|Raytheon]]. In April 2022, the U.S. agreed to sent F-35 aircraft and Abrams tanks to Poland. In June 2022, [[Joe Biden]] announced that the United States would establish a permanent military base in Poland. Poland spends 3% of its GDP on its military, one of the highest levels in [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]].<ref name=":0" /> | | Poland is currently occupied by approximately 10,000 [[United States of America|U.S.]] troops. In March 2018, Poland signed a $4.75 billion with arms dealer [[Raytheon Technologies|Raytheon]]. In April 2022, the U.S. agreed to sent F-35 aircraft and Abrams tanks to Poland. In June 2022, [[Joe Biden]] announced that the United States would establish a permanent military base in Poland. Poland spends 3% of its GDP on its military, one of the highest levels in [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization|NATO]].<ref name=":0" /> |
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