A senior member of the Polish People’s Party cautioned against backing any electoral list that would bind democratic parties too tightly, especially in the run up to the October 15 coalition’s actions in local elections. The remark came during an interview with PAP, highlighting concerns about a single-ticket approach within the governing bloc.
PO and New Left Discuss Joint Local Ballot Strategy
Discussions have been underway between the Civic Platform and New Left about forming a joint coalition for the upcoming local elections scheduled for April 7. On January 20, Dariusz Wieczorek, the Minister of Science and Vice President of the New Left, indicated that regional authorities would present their proposals on the matter by the end of January.
Earlier, the national board of the New Left granted leaders Robert Biedroń and Włodzimierz Czarzasty permission to initiate coalition talks with Donald Tusk, the chairman of the Civic Platform, signaling openness to collaboration.
We are a governing coalition and in this form we must participate in the local and European elections,
said Biedroń in the interview with PAP.
KO MP Mariusz Witczak also supported the idea of pooling forces in local elections as part of the coalition currently in power in Poland.
Wherever possible, the October 15 coalition should align on common candidates and consolidate efforts — a guiding principle echoed by a KO MP speaking with PAP.
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— The Left wants to participate in the local elections together with the Platform, according to Wieczorek, who noted that talks about a coalition had already begun.
The Left’s leadership appeared optimistic about a joint start to the elections, as stated by Czarzasty, who suggested that discussions with the PO were progressing well.
Sawicki Questions a Coalition Broader than the Third Way
When questioned by PAP about a joint start of the ruling coalition in the local elections, Sawicki recalled that leaders of the Third Way — Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Szymon Hołownia — had recently announced that PSL and Polska 2050 would enter local elections as the Third Way Committee.
Such invitations and questions, he said, were unnecessary. He urged the other leaders to focus on preparing for municipal elections and organizing their committees rather than engaging in broader alliance talks with other parties.
He stressed that he had never supported a single list among democratic parties, especially with the October 15 coalition in view.
Letting the Public See Honest Political Alignments
He asserted that Poland’s political landscape includes distinct entities with notable differences. There is no basis for presenting a united, national government image when that is not the case. Sawicki emphasized that he does not identify with either the Left or the Civic Coalition, describing them as separate political actors.
As a member of the Polish People’s Party, he noted that the party’s program and objectives diverge in important respects from those of partners within the governing coalition.
Kosiniak-Kamysz: A Dual-Bloc Strategy Might Be Better Than a Single List
Kosiniak-Kamysz, president of PSL, recently commented on the feasibility of forming two blocs for local elections: the Third Way on one side and the Civic Platform with the Left on the other. He warned that running on a single list could cost victories in many voivodeships.
He stated, we will not win local elections in numerous voivodeships if everyone runs on one list. On January 11, leaders of Poland 2050 and PSL, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Szymon Hołownia, announced the creation of a joint electoral committee for voivodeships, provinces, and municipalities as part of continuing the Third Way project. The local elections are scheduled for April 7 and 21.
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PAP/rdm
Source: wPolityce