In Poland’s governing coalition, voices argue for a coordinated approach to the local elections, urging the October 15 alliance to present a shared slate of candidates where possible. A decision on how individual electoral committees will be organized is expected in the coming days, according to KO MP Mariusz Witczak speaking to PAP [Citation: wPolityce].
Will PO and New Left back joint lists for local elections?
Discussions have begun between the Civic Platform and the New Left about forming a united bloc for the April 7 local elections. On January 20, Dariusz Wieczorek, the Minister of Science and a Vice President of the New Left, indicated that regional bodies would unveil their proposals by the end of January. The national board of the New Left previously authorized its leaders, Robert Biedroń and Włodzimierz Czarzasty, to open coalition talks with Donald Tusk, the head of the PO. The stance was made clear by Biedroń: the coalition is already a governing one and must participate in both local and European elections [Citation: wPolityce].
KO MPs, including Witczak, advocate closer cooperation within the framework of the current governing coalition. The October 15 alliance should, where feasible, unite around common candidates and pool resources for local contests, Witczak stresses [Citation: wPolityce].
The Civic Platform—largely referred to as the Civic Coalition—emphasizes a consolidation of the ruling parties to strengthen their political imprint at the local level, especially within the so-called October 15 coalition, according to the legislator. Yet he cautions that while nearer cooperation is desirable, final decisions remain to be taken as talks proceed [Citation: wPolityce].
Witczak notes that the best outcome would be a broad bloc that includes not only the current partners but also the Third Way—along with PSL and Polska 2050—so as to avoid vote splitting in key local contests. If a single list proves unattainable, he argues, local pacts could still be formed to back individual candidates, preserving the possibility of coordinated action and mutual support on a community-by-community basis [Citation: wPolityce].
He also underlines the tangible value of an agreement when it comes to direct elections of mayors, presidents, and local heads. In those races, consolidating votes across a broad coalition is a proven strategy to maximize influence and prevent fragmentation as the ballots tighten. Still, he acknowledges the pragmatic reality that all towns and municipalities have their own dynamics, suggesting that a general framework could coexist with selective, locally tailored alliances [Citation: wPolityce].
Asked about the possibility of a single bloc across the entire country, the MP expresses optimism about a unified approach over the longer run, while recognizing that diverse regions may require different alliances to meet local needs. He envisions a useful, practical path forward even if a single nationwide ticket is not achievable, emphasizing the importance of coalition-building at the municipal level in strengthening governance within Poland’s current administration [Citation: wPolityce].
The second electoral round as a strategic factor
In this context, the MP stresses the incisive role of the second round, arguing that even if a candidate does not prevail in the first ballot, consolidation will intensify in the runoff. The strategic calculus becomes about rallying behind a shared candidate in decisive second-round contests to maximize the bloc’s influence and ensure continuity of governance at higher municipal levels [Citation: wPolityce].
Regardless of ongoing coalitions, the KO politician remains hopeful about the public’s support in April and the potential to govern across chambers once the votes are counted. The aim is to extend the current governing coalition’s reach within Poland’s parliaments, with the belief that a broad, unified front could unlock governance opportunities across multiple councils [Citation: wPolityce].
The Third Way Coalition
On January 11, leaders from Poland 2050 and PSL, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Szymon Hołownia, announced a plan to create a joint electoral committee for voivodeship assemblies, provinces, and municipalities, continuing the Third Way project. Later, on January 20, Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense, suggested that creating two blocs in local elections would be advantageous: the Third Way on one side and the PO–left coalition on the other. He warned that a single slate would not secure a local victory in many regional districts [Citation: wPolityce].
The local elections are scheduled for April 7 and 21, with the broader aim of aligning well-being in communities and the effectiveness of local activists who emphasize service over partisan color. The piece notes that some party coalitions pursue power with a singular objective, but the movement toward broad cooperation remains a live issue within the political landscape [Citation: wPolityce].
Related discussions highlight the evolving posture of the left and centrist blocs toward local governance. Observers note the growing interest in joint candidacies or formal alliances as a practical response to local realities rather than ideological rigidity [Citation: wPolityce].
The overarching narrative frames local elections as a proving ground for coalition-building, strategic voting, and the capacity to govern. The political discourse reflects a broader trend toward pragmatic, issue-driven collaboration in Poland’s current leadership configuration, with the April ballots serving as the focal point for testing alliances and electoral thresholds in a tight electoral environment [Citation: wPolityce].