Let us not be blindsided by the optimism

Since the preliminary election results to the Seimas were announced in October; since the coalition talks and its forming, the mood of optimism has prevailed among Polish commentators who believe that an unprecedented EAPL’s victory will incur “a new beginning” (whatever it means) and the improvement of relations between Poland and Lithuania.

Some commentators have even expressed the hope for meeting Polish minority’s demands of lesser importance, at least in their own opinion. They act as if the fact that EAPL is now a part of coalition instantly solved all problems Polish minority has been beset with for years. One of such problems is the national education’s reform viewed as anti-polish.

The comments subsided, while the optimism still reigns. This optimism may turn out to be misplaced. The schedule of the Minister of National Education reads as follows: “Dainius Pavalkis, the Minister of National Education, meets with Kazimieras Garšva, the leader of ‘Vilnija’ Association on January, 14^th at 4 pm.” Needless to say, some of Vilnija’s demands included in the education reform adversely affect Polish schools. One can easily guess what is the purpose of Garšva’s visit and why is he treated by the Minister on equal terms with university’s rectors and the experts of international consortia.

Vilnija is not a marginal association after all. Thus, although we won in the governmental elections, we should always be on the alert. Let us not be blindsided by the optimism. There is still a great amount of work ahead of us.

Source: http://kurierwilenski.lt/2013/01/14/nie-dajmy-sie-zaslepic-optymizmowi/

Tłumaczenie Karolina Jasińska w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Karolina Jasińska the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.