There is nothing more symbolic in Polish politics than the minute erstwhile the power decides to remind itself of its citizens erstwhile the hot electoral period begins to approach. And although it seems that in the face of natural disasters which do not bypass our country, the work of the government should be a priority, in the Polish edition all decision has its political calculation.
erstwhile Poland hit floods in 2024 which destroyed the achievements of many families, the government held its breath and the floods were left to themselves, forced to search aid elsewhere. Until today. The power, on the wave of uncertain result of the 2nd circular of the presidential election, recalled that flooding was besides voters who could supply further votes.
Only a year after 1 of the biggest natural disasters in Poland, the Ministry of Agriculture announces that it is considering re-launching aid for the flood victims. The word "considers" in the context of the government's actions is the 1 that best reflects reality – even a year ago, in the face of dramatic destruction, the victims received almost no concrete help. And now that the election results are becoming increasingly uncertain, the floods were remembered. This is the answer of the authorities to their hard situation: aid "maybe" will be launched, but only after careful consideration of the details and taking into account the political context. Have we forgotten that their achievements were destroyed almost a year ago?
The state of disaster introduced, which gave a theoretical basis for assistance, in practice proved to be only another bureaucratic act, which did not change anything in the real support that went to those affected. In fact, floods of 2024 were forced to trust on each other, vicinity aid, NGOs, or... a miracle case. Their tragedy was almost completely ignored by the rulers, who then, as frequently happens in specified cases, "accidentally" did not announcement the request for a fast reaction. Many families waited for help, not knowing if they would always receive compensation that would let them to rebuild their homes, collections or agricultural infrastructure.
And now? Now the government, seeing that the second circular of presidential elections was coming, decided to scope out to the same people who had not been helped all year. Why? The answer is simple: voters. aid is promised now erstwhile voices are at stake, not human tragedies. The words of the Minister of Agriculture on "analyzing the anticipation of re-launching aid" are a typical pre-election promise that was not expected before. After all, is it not a coincidence that erstwhile all voice begins to count, the authorities abruptly announcement the problems of the inhabitants of the affected areas?
The aid to be mobilised now includes compensation for harm to crops, buildings, supplies, animals and machinery. In addition, losses in fruit trees nurseries, bee production and fish farming were besides taken into account. All of this sounds beautiful on paper, but let's remember that the flooding of 2024 for a long time got nothing. The harm to crops that occurred last year was not estimated, and the aid was not directed to those who needed it most. Farms that have suffered have suffered a large crisis. And now, after a year of stagnation, the government decides to “consider” aid. This is very convenient – the decision to support depends on whether it will get the right number of votes. Are all these promises just part of a political game?
We gotta ask ourselves where the government was erstwhile floods continued to fight the consequences of the element. Where were the fast reactions that could aid rebuild and even supply minimal support at the level of immediate assistance? In fact, alternatively of a real response, we only had promises that became little circumstantial over time and more like PR actions to calm the public.
When the flood affected Poland, power, as usual, was busy with another matters. Later, it turned out that aid had been delayed, and those who lost their lives had to cope on their own. The state did not scope out to these people, leaving them in trouble. And now that the force to win votes is expanding before the second circular of elections, the "consideration" of aid begins. The promises made by government representatives sound like a classical pre-election maneuver to win voters' votes from flood-stricken areas. It's cynicism that knows no bounds.
What is the consequence of this delayed reaction? As usual, political business. As the rulings felt that the election consequence might be uncertain, they began looking for fresh ways to gain votes. The emergence of promises of assistance for floods is 1 specified action. Where have they been the last year, erstwhile these people were fighting to survive? Where were the compensation procedures promised to aid them rebuild what was destroyed? Now, after a year of silence, they decided to remember the floods. After a year of downplaying their problems, now that you can gain their support, they start talking about help. And that is only if so close to the final election their votes can prove decisive.
Political cynicism in this case is besides visible. The request for flood relief is real, but not erstwhile support decisions are made only in the context of electoral calculation. alternatively of immediate actions that could truly aid those who have lost their lives through the flood, we are dealing with delayed promises that look like nothing but an component of the election game. After all, the most crucial thing is to get votes, not truly aid people in a hard situation.
When power decides to do so, not only confirms its approach to citizens as tools for achieving its own objectives, but besides a informing for all who believe that the state is able to emergence to the challenge in times of crisis. And now, after a year of tragedy, aid remains in the realm of promises. But what will happen after the election will only be a substance of how rapidly the government will forget about those who have suffered losses and the aid, as usual, will stay inadequate.
