Partia Libertarianie, a Polish Libertarian political party, denounced the Libertarian Party of the United States over social media Thursday evening, criticizing the party’s social media approach to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Information from various sources is reaching us about the U.S. Libertarian Party and its attack on Ukraine on social media. As the Polish Libertarian Party, we significantly distance ourselves from such an approach, which we consider contrary to the ideas of libertarianism,” the party said in a translated post on both Twitter and Facebook.
“It is Russia that is the aggressor, it is the Russian side that is responsible for the bloodshed and casualties. The words of some American libertarians, posted on official profiles, are shameful and deserve all condemnation.”
Joining both social media posts is a photo with the question “Libertarian Party?” and the word Libertarian marked out and “Kremlin” written above.
On its Facebook page, Partia Libertarianie included a screenshot as an example in addition to the original post. The screenshot shows the official Twitter account of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire comparing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler. The meme phrase “They’re the same picture.” is used as the caption.
Comments left by American and Polish followers of Partia Libertarianie on social media were split, with members coming out both for and against the denunciation. The Mises Caucus responded, striking a more combative tune in responding and directly calling out Partia Libertarianie for its statements.
“Why are you carrying water for the US empire’s war propaganda? Saying Putin was provoked isn’t justifying his aggression, nor is saying Ukraine isn’t good. If attempting to avoid Nuclear Armageddon is ‘shameful & deserves all condemnation’ to you, you are an enemy of humanity.”
The Libertarian Party of the United States has yet to respond to its Polish counterpart’s criticism. However, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire responded on Twitter, inviting all Libertarian ex-pats in Ukraine to join its members in the state of New Hampshire.
“A libertarian in Ukraine that wants liberty should get to New Hampshire by legal or illegal means, not fight Russia. We have a network of thousands of libertarians that will support you, including dozens of expats. Let’s create a libertarian homeland.”
Partia Libertarianie replied directly to the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire by calling the state affiliate a “parody.”
It’s worth noting that Partia Libertarianie is not the same as KORWiN, or the Confederation for the Renewal of the Republic Liberty and Hope. KORWiN, a Euroskeptic party led by paleolibertarian Janusz Korwin-Mikke, is a separate entity and founding member of the International Association of Libertarian Parties alongside the Libertarian Party of the United States.
Seems to me the Polish LP is missing the point and missing the mark. Bashing the LPUS over LPNH is missing the mark. Bashing the LPUS for being antiwar is missing the point.
Maybe they ought to reconsider their position instead of being…wrong.
How utterly embarrassing. The LP has no shame
One of the few things the Libertarian Party is good at is fratricide.
LPNH: “Look at Zelenskyy, and look at Hitler. Both leaders are leaning over a desk looking at a map. Coincidence? lol”
PPL: “That’s idiotic, and shameful, and juvenile, and worthy of condemnation, and you’re giving all of us a bad name.”
LPMC: “Why would you take that as an insult, you nuclear-warmongering enemies of humanity?”
LPNH: “Ukrainian libertarians, don’t resist Russian aggression. Come join us in New Hampshire!”
LNC: “…” (Can anyone think of anything else we can pay Michael Heise or Dave Smith for? What about Scott Horton?)
What an awful time to be a Libertarian.