A prominent Polish political figure made clear that he would not join a government that includes Roman Giertych. On September 4, Adrian Zandberg, co‑chair of the Samen party, told Radio ZET that the left’s stance in the next parliament would determine whether Giertych would be part of the government in the future. Zandberg, who leads the New Left list in Warsaw, was asked whether he would form a coalition government with Giertych, a Sejm candidate on the Civic Coalition (KO) list.
Reluctance toward Giertych
“I will not join a government with Roman Giertych,” Zandberg stated. In the online portion of the discussion, he explained that “Giertych is a figure whose views on many important issues are the antipodes of the views of the left.”
The core question now is simple and pivotal: will the strength of the left in the next parliament decide Giertych’s inclusion in the government? Zandberg noted that the outcome hinges on whether the left can secure a strong enough position. If the left emerges with a robust mandate, Giertych’s participation would be unlikely.
He emphasized that responsibility for Giertych’s stance lay with Civic Platform. He added that anyone who desires Giertych in government should support Civic Platform, arguing that the party bears accountability for such positions.
In late August, Donald Tusk, the leader of the Civic Coalition, announced that Giertych would start from the last position on the coalition’s Sejm list in the Świętokrzyskie region, where Jarosław Kaczyński of PiS is also active.
The proposals of the left
One of the main proposals the left would like to push if it participates in government is a gradual reduction of the workweek to 35 hours. Zandberg argued that Poles would benefit from shorter working hours and deserved relief from overwork. The policy envisions a phased approach to reach a 35‑hour week over time.
During the conversation, Zandberg criticized Prime Minister Morawiecki in the context of rising poverty and concerns about its persistence in Poland. He pointed to what he sees as shortcomings in public services and argued that the government’s track record has fallen short of expectations.
According to Zandberg, the path to a better future for Poland is straightforward: confront the current government, withdraw support, and elect a new parliament with a strong left. He called for a governance shift that would prioritize education, social welfare, and improved public services.
Program ‘Friendly Neighborhood’
In an interview with Bogdan Rymanowski, Zandberg supported a broader modernization plan for apartment buildings in Poland and suggested that the PiS government’s program aligns less with voters’ social expectations. He argued that funding for such initiatives has already been arranged in Brussels by the left, and that the key action needed from the government is to unlock these resources from the National Reconstruction Plan.
Zandberg also criticized the prime minister for what he described as an inability to maintain his political base. He asserted that under the current leadership, promised Brussels goals have not been realized and that the political landscape needs a reset to restore confidence in public institutions.
“Medieval Nightmare”
Regarding the Confederation, Zandberg declined to comment on its internal leadership directly but expressed the view that support for its leaders was waning and that the next election would be decided largely by younger voters. He described the Confederation’s trajectory as gradually deflating, while a guest on the program characterized the possibility of Confederation governance as a “medieval nightmare.” The conversation highlighted concerns about the feasibility and consequences of the Confederation’s policy proposals, including potential impacts on public services and social protections.
According to Zandberg, the Confederation’s platform would likely lead to significant disruption of public health systems and social protection, with severe repercussions for workers, medical services, and vulnerable populations. He argued that this would be out of step with public expectations and that voters should carefully consider the long‑term implications of such a shift.
Discussions around the next government have touched on broader questions about Poland’s future direction, including how to better support teachers, strengthen schools, and ensure fair opportunities for all citizens. The overall message remains clear: a reorientation of priorities and a shift in leadership could reshape the country’s social and economic landscape in the years ahead, especially if a stronger left gains influence in parliament.