With the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Poland passed to the next stage of the global sanitary crisis. In the era of pandemics, after the presidential elections, numerous political crises, a na-tional lockdown, demonstrations against restrictions in access to abortion, and the start of vac-cinations against COVID-19, the issue of trust between the institutions of the state – including the European Union – and the society, became an important element of the construction of the post-COVID reality. Is a crisis of confidence a sign of weakness of democratic values in both state and European institutions? Will the institutional inability of the state to govern lead Poland to a crisis of trust? Does the Polish media discourse reflect this crisis of trust? The leading research method used while preparing this text was discourse analysis. In the conclusion the authors diagnose the current situation: polarization of the Polish media, fueled with many years of political, social and moral conflicts, further increased by the COVID-19, and point to the need to build a strong and uncompromising trust between the Polish society and its political leaders.

This article examines the Westernization process in Turkey. It illustrates some facts about the historical political changes which are linked to the development of western values in Turkey. For the research, the historical methodology is used. Primary and secondary sources are analysed. The historical facts are given in a chronological order. The background of the process has been clarified and detailed information is included. The correlation between European Union and Turkey regarding the European values is examined. The values’ significance to modern Turkish society is emphasized. The process of the Westernization, before and after the proclamation of the Turkish Republic, regarding the three pillars of individual values, i.e. humanistic thinking, rationality, and secularity, is also examined. The article refers to the main legislative changes which have had a significant effect on Turkish citizen’s daily life and shows the Turkish legal system’s background. The importance and legislative implementation of human rights are emphasized. The significance of developing the relations in between European Union and Turkey is also stressed.