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Civil society organizations and the rule of law backsliding in Poland – methods, challenges, possible future scenarios

Europe (Central and Eastern)
Civil Society
Democracy
Barbara Grabowska-Moroz
Central European University
Barbara Grabowska-Moroz
Central European University

Abstract

Rule of law backsliding constitutes a challenge to civil society organizations (CSOs), since it generates an arbitrariness of the public authorities. The erosion of the public participation platforms made CSOs to look for new tools which would allow them to continue their work (e.g., as watchdogs, by doing advocacy or providing public services). Additionally, the same organizations had to face the reality of the shrinking space for civil society. At each stage of the post-2015 rule of law backsliding the public authorities in Poland implemented various measures to affect the shape and functioning of the third sector. This paper analyses some of the strategic questions which CSOs (watchdogs and advocacy organizations in particular) faced, e.g.: How can the resistance against attacks on the rule of law be translated into their main agenda? How to cooperate domestically and internationally with other CSOs? How to cope with the smear campaign coordinated by the public media? And how to engage people in long-term actions oriented at defending the rule of law?