If the head of the ruling party’s office returns to a strategy of all-out confrontation with the president, the opposition and government allies say they are ready to respond. The official from the president’s office told Wprost that meaningful cooperation with a potential government led by the current opposition would be welcome.
Asked whether the president might be preparing for a clash with the new administration, the official recalled the maxim, peace through readiness for conflict. He stressed that the president’s true aim is peace and cooperation.
Living with a difficult reality
The official highlighted that President Duda remembers the complicated dynamic that existed between President Lech Kaczyński and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The president recently expressed hope that Donald Tusk might have changed. It is noted that political tension began after the 2005 presidential loss and lasted for years, lingering in public discourse.
However, if the head of the PO were to revert to the 2007 to 2010 strategy of full-scale warfare against the president, the response would be intelligent yet firm. The aim would be meaningful cooperation with a potential government led by the current opposition. The question posed to Donald Tusk is whether he seeks peace or war.
When asked if the president was pursuing personal revenge or acting ruthlessly, the official said the president is reaching out to all who are willing to work together. This includes not only parliamentarians but also local government figures and social organizations to build a broad coalition around Poland’s most important issues. The focus is on national security, border and energy security, and social policy that respects the dignity of every citizen.
The official noted that it is in the interest of the entire United Right camp to point to Andrzej Duda’s legacy, arguing that he achieved substantial outcomes. Without Duda, changes in social policy like lowering the retirement age and the Family 500 Plus program might not have materialized, along with additional pensions and programs that helped millions of Polish citizens live with greater dignity. The 2015 campaign promised these changes, and the president has kept his word. Furthermore, it is argued that Duda’s leadership opened doors for the United Right to govern and enabled ongoing progress in 2020 for this ambitious economic and social agenda.
The official also cited actions connected to Poland’s response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, asking who built strong ties with Kiev long before the war began, who motivated NATO to act, and who advocated for a stronger eastern flank and a lasting American military presence in Poland. The inquiry invites reflection on who spoke with President Biden on these matters.
The historic role of the president
The official assessed that Andrzej Duda has played a pivotal historical role in the context of Ukraine. There was discussion about how the presidential palace should approach changes to foreign policy powers, especially given that Radosław Sikorski will head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that this issue has been a point of contention before. The government and the president share foreign policy powers, all within the bounds of the constitution and rulings by the Constitutional Court. A formal framework for cooperation in foreign policy was established to support the president’s approach.
When asked whether the Competence Act for foreign policy cooperation remains useful for the future, the official indicated that it could be advantageous in the current climate. The future of the PiS party remains uncertain, with the official noting that succession within PiS will influence whether the party can return to government. It is still too early to determine the beneficiary of that succession.
Questioning past political moves
In response to a question about why Jarosław Kaczyński removed him from the 2015 electoral list, the official said he preferred not to revisit those events. He argued that removing him at the time was a political mistake and explained that he did not respond with public accusations or media attacks, choosing to avoid further confrontation while still holding a different view than those who felt wronged.
When asked whether any lingering grudges toward the PiS leadership remained, the official recalled a defining moment from 2010. He accompanied Jarosław Kaczyński on a flight to Smolensk shortly after the disaster, a trip both political and personal. He described the event as the most tragic in Poland’s postwar era and shared a deep sense of respect for Kaczyński, who acted as a statesman in that difficult moment.
The official hinted that the PiS president will decide who carries the party’s legacy forward. The party structure centers on Kaczyński, making his choice of a successor a crucial responsibility. It will shape the party’s role in Polish politics for years to come.
If PiS wishes to have a fair chance of returning to power, the question remains whether the leadership will embrace an inclusive or exclusionary approach. The assessment concluded that this choice will determine the party’s viability in future elections.
The piece also referenced related discussions and commentary, including reminders of public statements about governance strategies and political disagreements. The focus consistently returns to the ongoing balance between confrontation and collaboration in Poland’s political landscape.
[Citation: wPolityce]