“This marks the end of the PiS era,” asserted Donald Tusk moments after schools closed and as Polish media released early exit polls for the elections selecting both chambers—the Sejm and the Senate. The ultra-conservative governing party, Law and Justice (PiS) led by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki remained first with about 36%. The liberal Civic Platform (PO) trailed with roughly 31% in the preliminary data. Though PiS failed to secure a majority, the opposition, led by the pro-European Tusk, gathered enough votes with backing from centrists. The Left’s Lewica won around 8.5%, and Third Way trailed at roughly 13%. As Tusk raised his arms in victory, Morawiecki signaled a readiness to form a government and possibly become president, depending on PiS. Andrzej Duda’s position appeared tied to PiS’s outcome.
The decisive factor for Tusk’s ascent, if the official tallies confirm it, will be turnout, projected at about 72% — roughly twelve points higher than the 2019 general election. A referendum was conducted at PiS’s urging to test migration policy within the European Union. It failed to meet the 50% turnout threshold that would bind on the other three issues, stagnating around 40%. PiS framed its campaign around blocking asylum requests and curbing irregular migration, pledging to oppose the EU plan much like Hungary. Beyond winning a general mandate, PiS also sought popular support on this issue.
PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczyński cautioned that the official results would take time, a stance echoed by other far-right voices like Sławomir Mentzen of Confederation, who received about 6.8% in exit polls but did not reach the threshold to become PiS’s ally. Confederation unites the most extreme elements with libertarian factions opposing PiS’s social policies.
Tusk’s Return
Tusk voted amid a media fever at a polling site some distance from central Warsaw. The general elections signified the liberal veteran’s return to national politics after serving as prime minister from 2007 to 2014 and later taking on leadership roles at the European level. While the opposition presented a clear alternative to PiS, Tusk stood out as the sole candidate with the chance to challenge PiS’s dominance, which included influence over the presidency via Andrzej Duda.
The shift from the Morawiecki and Kaczyński duopoly to a more cautious transition reflected the volatility PiS faced among its coalition partners. The uproar around Tusk’s comeback highlighted expectations of a political pivot in Brussels, especially given Poland’s ongoing friction with the European Union on policy and funding. A change of government, should Tusk prevail, might steer Poland toward closer cooperation with Brussels after years of stalled post-pandemic EU funds, and help resolve EU judicial reform disputes that have drawn penalties from European courts.
Urban versus Rural Dynamics
PO’s strength in metropolitan areas contrasts with PiS’s broader rural support. In cities like Białystok, located about 177 kilometers from Warsaw and near the Belarusian border, the landscape diverges sharply from the capital. Before World War II, a substantial Jewish community thrived here; tens of thousands perished during the Nazi era at Treblinka. The region’s EU-funded projects are highly anticipated, including rail modernization and social programs, with PiS expanding family and retirement benefits. Tusk emphasized that campaigns would avoid disruption and maintain steady governance across the country.
Białystok’s streets reflect a mixed heritage: older Soviet-era blocks sit beside rapid redevelopment, malls, and a renewed train hub where a sense of bustling renewal is palpable. The station area teems with signs showing the impact of EU funds. The local mayor, aligned with PO, is Tadeusz Truskolaski, and his son, Krzysztof Truskolaski, is a Sejm deputy whose image features prominently on city posters. A local resident, a 24-year-old grandson of a pensioner and a proud Tusk voter, observes that Białystok is looking toward Europe with optimism and a desire for continued investment. The region’s voters are watching closely as national choices unfold, with expectations of smoother access to European funds and continued infrastructure progress.
Beate Grela, an 82-year-old retired teacher from Białystok and PiS supporter, spoke to EL PERIODICO DE CATALUNYA about the security of borders and the concern that Russia could threaten the region. She stressed that the border remains fortified and that the memory of past upheavals shapes her vote, while noting that her family members lean toward different political affiliations. Her remarks underscore how security concerns and EU funding influence voting behavior and perceptions of leadership at a local level.
In Białystok, as in many regional centers, the contrast between old Soviet-era architecture and the era of rapid construction becomes a visible symbol of economic shifts. New shopping centers, fast-food outlets, and a modernized rail network signal a country leaning into EU investment. The EU-funded renewal of the city’s transport and public spaces stands as a prominent beacon for residents who hope for continued improvements and social protections. The local political landscape mirrors the national debate: a balance between preserving traditional values and embracing European integration as a pathway to development and opportunity.