Polish political parties’ stand on the Silesian issue exemplified by their attitude towards the Silesian Autonomy Movement

Abstract

The article analyses the attitudes of the Polish political parties towards
the ‘Silesian issue’ based on their attitude towards Ruch Autonomii Śląska
(RAŚ) [the Silesian Autonomy Movement]. Using the available data analysis
as well as the method of individual semi-structured in-depth interviews, the
paper provides up-to-date knowledge about the above-mentioned field. The
predominant majority of Polish political parties (both at the central and the
regional level) have a negative attitude towards RAŚ and its postulates –
among others: the autonomy for the regions, recognition of the Silesians as
a separate nation or the status of the Silesian language. The paper attempts
to systematise the Polish political parties’ position on the ‘Silesian issue’
exemplified by their attitudes towards RAŚ.