Tom Palmer

The example of Poland’s Solidarność should give hope to all those fighting socio-economic and political injustice, whether that be in Lukashenko’s Belarus, Ali Khamenei’s Iran, or Xi’s China. For those who took to the streets in the summer of 1980, that the communist regime would fall a decade later was incomprehensible.

Poland’s recent presidential election strengthened nationalist rule while exposing deep divisions in society. Analysis should not, however, oversimplify the result. The Right’s popularity is not primarily the outcome of their traditional values, but their generous welfare offer. Only a radical alternative welfare model, combined with progressive ideals, could provide a credible substitute.

As Covid-19 forced most of Europe to stumble haphazardly into an online existence, Estonia was unphased. Their digitised society allowed for an early lockdown without hesitation on logistical grounds. The Estonian example must be the blueprint for the digitisation of other European societies post-coronavirus.

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed uncomfortable truths. In the wake of this illness, the pre-existing sickness of our society is laid bare – its structural inequality. This crisis must fundamentally change our politics and facilitate the creation of a green, redistributive society.