Civic Platform
From Citizens Movement to Membership Party
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
For years, Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska) has been Poland’s most successful party. Come autumn 2011, it could be the first party since 1989 to be confirmed in government. A “rapid media reaction force”, primary elections, and a system of tiered membership have given the party a modern image. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has strongly oriented Civic Platform on his person and, as the “anti-Kaczynski”, has opened it up to new voters beyond a business-oriented liberal clientele. Since its founding in 2001, Civic Platform has evolved from a grassroots movement to a party based on a classic system of membership.
(Osteuropa 5-6/2011, pp. 259–278)