Local government figures push for a united opposition in Poland
At a Monday press conference, Jacek Karnowski, president of Sopot and head of the Local Government Movement “Yes! For Poland,” stressed that the group does not want to run in elections alone. The aim is to secure an agreement across the opposition, ensuring cooperation rather than competing against each other in parliamentary ballots.
During the gathering of the Yes! For Poland committee, reporters pressed activists on whether the movement would lead a slate in the elections, especially after a recent Rzeczpospolita poll that placed the group close to third place on its own, a figure often associated with Rafał Trzaskowski, the president of Warsaw, in the public discourse.
Local officials seek unity and collaboration
The movement’s leadership clarified that the objective is not political solo ventures. Instead, the emphasis is on defending local communities and their interests. Karnowski articulated a hopeful vision: the amalgamation of opposition forces under a shared banner, with the willingness to back any credible challenger to the ruling party, even if it means supporting different factions that align on removing the governing PiS from power.
He added that talks were underway with broad opposition quarters to safeguard this cooperative approach. The arithmetic of unity was presented as a simple, common-sense calculation: avoid fragmentation and present a united front that strengthens, not weakens, regional governance.
Under this strategy, the group would prioritize homeland protection over narrow lists. The leadership asserted that dialogue with all stakeholders would continue until tangible progress is achieved, with the ultimate goal of a single, strong list capable of winning, as opposed to multiple competing lists that could fracture the vote.
Karnowski reflected on the broader lessons of electoral strategy, noting that unity is essential. He cited the remarks of Jarosław Kaczyński about a spectrum of lists and the risk that too many options could lead to a decisive setback. The hope was expressed for a future round-table discussion that could formalize a path toward a broad, cross-party coalition.
Admission about poll origins
When questioned about the Rzeczpospolita survey, Karnowski acknowledged that the poll had been commissioned by some members of the movement rather than the organization as a whole. He emphasized that the group has no intention of founding separate enterprises; such a move would contradict its core mission of strengthening the local government and sustaining opposition unity.
He explained that Trzaskowski’s name appeared in the poll because he serves as head of the movement’s political council, a role he said would have been uncomfortable to forego if the opportunity had arisen. Karnowski emphasized that the aim remains to fortify local governance rather than fracture the opposition.
Senator Vadim Tyszkiewicz echoed the call to unite political leaders to remove the worst post-1989 governance from power, framing it as a collective obligation rather than a partisan ambition.
Rising energy costs become a pressing concern
The press conference also highlighted a surge in energy prices, described by the local government representatives as a burden that public budgets can barely absorb. The issue threatens the functioning of local institutions, according to Adam Struzik, marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, who urged closer scrutiny of corporate earnings in light of consumer costs.
Examples cited included municipal decisions to raise electricity and gas prices for schools and kindergartens. Elżbieta Radwan, the mayor of Wołomin, noted a substantial price rise in 2022 affecting education services, while Arkadiusz Chęciński, the mayor of Sosnowiec, pointed to growing costs for school meals. These anecdotes were presented to illustrate how macroeconomic shifts filter down to local budgets and service delivery.
Poll findings and political implications
Recent results from the SW Research study conducted for the Yes! For Poland campaign suggested that local government officials could post a double-digit showing if they fielded their own list. The poll indicated that PiS might secure about 22 percent, the Civic Coalition 17.4 percent, and Yes! For Poland roughly 10.7 percent. The findings fed discussions about coalition-building and the potential role of regional groups in shaping the national arena.
Commentary around the poll touched on the broader political dynamics at play, including potential coalitions within the Sejm. Observers noted that the possibility of alliance formations could influence higher-level negotiations while reinforcing the message that strong local governance could translate into national influence.
In summary, the movement’s leadership underscored a commitment to unity, practical cooperation, and the defense of local communities as central themes. The conversations continued, with the shared objective of preventing fragmentation and constructing a credible, broad-based alternative to the current administration. The discourse remains oriented toward pragmatic collaboration rather than rigid partisan posturing, anchored in the belief that a united front can advance local interests and, ultimately, national change.
Source: wPolityce