From August 24-28, the third edition of the Wacław Felczak Institute Summer University will take place. Politicians, experts, scientists and journalists from Poland and Hungary in Krasiczyn in Podkarpacie region discuss the history and perspectives of both nations and the entire area of Central and Eastern Europe. Special emphasis this year is placed on topics related to security in its broadest sense - from agricultural issues, to topics concerning the coronavirus pandemic, to geopolitics.

The discussion devoted to the role of parliament in modern democracy was attended by Marek Kuchciński, Speaker of the 8th Sejm, Zsófia Rácz, Hungarian Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Human Resources, and Professor Arkadiusz Adamczyk, lecturer at Jan Kochanowski University. The panel was moderated by editor Marcin Bak.

- Parliamentarism was established very early in Poland and Hungary. In the times when most European countries were ruled by absolutism, we developed republican democracy. We are trying to recall these traditions - said Marek Kuchciński.

The Speaker stressed that it is natural that politicians are exposed to criticism and are not popular. - A politician must have a rhinoceros skin - he said. At the same time he added that the research shows that the popularity of the Polish Sejm in the society has increased in the recent years, and the political culture both in Poland and in Hungary is higher than in many western countries, where the parliamentarians often cannot control their emotions.

The politician noted that Polish and Hungarian parliamentarism have a long and rich tradition. - In the times when most European countries were ruled by absolutism, our country developed republican democracy. We are trying to recall these traditions. Disputes in democracy are natural. However, he admitted that since 2015, this conflict has gained in intensity, as the Civic Platform has adopted the formula of "total opposition," he argued.

- This applies to all aspects of political life, even those that we have hitherto considered raison d'etre. This includes foreign policy, for example the defence of states whose sovereignty has been violated," said Marek Kuchciński.

Honorary Ambassador

At the end of the panel Marek Kuchcinski was awarded with the title of the Honorary Ambassador of the Waclaw Felczak Institute. The laudation emphasized the merits of the politician for Polish-Hungarian relations.

- It is an honour for me,' Kuchciński said. He stressed that Waclaw Felczak is one of those figures who should be a model for contemporary Poles and Hungarians.

Zsófia Rácz drew attention to the importance of the MP's work. In her opinion, the idea of political representation should be understood as a noble mission.

The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of democracy for the Western civilization. In her opinion, it is a system that guarantees freedom and peace to nations, as it forces politicians to find a compromise that is acceptable to the majority of society.

- We've seen what it looks like when one person has power. That's when the biggest problems start," she said.

Rácz emphasized that in Hungary, the parliament in practice has a control function. The deputy minister added that it is in parliament that open discussions take place, and public access to these debates gives the public a guarantee of transparency.