In Łódź, the political landscape is shifting as the KO faces a historic moment: for the first time since 1991, Iwona Śledzińska-Katarasińska, a long-serving MP from Łódź, will not return to the Sejm. National Electoral Commission data, after counting votes at more than 99 percent, shows that only one KO district councillor in Łódź province kept a mandate from four years ago. This marks a notable turnover in the region’s political representation.
The post-election conversation in Łódź centers on how the district delivered its votes. Reports highlight that KO took the lead in the Sejm elections with around 41 percent in district No. 9, while PiS trailed with roughly 27 percent, and a smaller share went to other groups. The district carries ten Sejm seats, and observers expect the final seat distribution to reflect KO’s local strength, with PiS close behind. The remaining seats are anticipated to be split among new players and established partners as nationwide results finalize the national allocation. Analysts note that KO is likely to win five seats in this district, PiS three, and minor representation for other groups in district No. 9 once the full country-wide tally is confirmed. The unfolding numbers underscore how regional dynamics can differ from national trends, and how local name recognition and track records influence outcomes in a multi-party system.
The strongest showing for KO in Łódź came from Dariusz Joński, a former SLD leader in the region, who secured a substantial share of the vote. Aleksandra Wiśniewska, a social activist and daughter of a prominent philanthropist, followed in second place. During the campaign, a biographical change on an encyclopedia platform sparked controversy about her profile. Wiśniewska earned a solid result, with more than twenty-five thousand votes. Małgorzata Niemczyk, a former volleyball player turned MP, came in third on the KO list with over twenty thousand votes. Paweł Bliśniuk, a Łódź Regional Council member, ranked fourth with a strong showing, and teacher Marcin Józefaciuk completed the top five with close to nine thousand votes. Other notable KO contenders included Krzysztof Piątkowski, a current MP and former vice president of Łódź, who received nearly seven thousand votes. Iwona Śledzińska-Katarasińska, a Sejm member since 1991, finished seventh with just over six thousand votes, signaling a long career that is now transitioning out of the Sejm after more than three decades of service.
After 32 years, Śledzińska-Katarasińska steps away
Śledzińska-Katarasińska’s parliamentary tenure spans over three decades, during which she represented a range of political formations and played a prominent role in regional and national public life. Her career includes work as a journalist and involvement with labor and independent movements. Early in her political journey she built connections with major labor and opposition groups, and she has been associated with unions and democratic activism since the 1980s. Her career is marked by public service during challenging political eras, including a period of suppression under martial law, when she faced internment until late 1981. Contemporary discussions around her legacy reflect a complex past that has shaped her public stance and contributed to a broader debate about accountability and responsibility in public office.
In later reflections, she has acknowledged past controversies from the 1960s and 1970s, explaining how historical articles and public narratives shaped her career. While some critics cited past writings as a barrier to higher government roles, she has emphasized a distinction between past mistakes and present service, arguing that historical events should be understood within their broader context and that personal accountability evolves over time. Her long parliamentary record and public profile have made her a defining figure in Łódź politics, even as new representatives ascend in the Sejm.
Among the four MPs representing the Łódź PO since 2019, only Małgorzata Niemczyk is expected to retain a Sejm seat in light of the current results. Notably, sports journalist Tomasz Zimoch, who aligned with Polska 2050 and may become a Third Way MP from Wrocław, did not secure a seat in Constituency No. 9 this cycle after differing from the group four years ago. This shift illustrates how party realignments and personal political choices can reshape regional leadership trajectories in Polish politics.
Who led the PiS list in Łódź?
The top vote-getter for PiS in Łódź was Waldemar Buda, the Minister of Development and Technology, who received more than forty-five thousand votes. If PiS earns three seats in the Łódź district, the party would likely see Zbigniew Rau, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, surpass the thirty-two thousand vote mark, while Agnieszka Wojciechowska from Haukelom would exceed ten thousand. Other PiS candidates, including the Minister of Local Government Włodzimierz Tomaszewski and Deputy Minister Piotr Cieplucha, are predicted to fall short of securing seats in district No. 9 based on current counts. These dynamics spotlight the depth of competition among party names with national profiles and regional influence alike.
From the Third Way, Ewa Szymanowska may become a Łódź MP with nearly twenty-six thousand votes, while from the Left, Tomasz Trela is also on a similar vote trajectory. The composition of the district’s future delegation will hinge on remaining district tallies and nationwide seat distribution, underscoring the importance of local campaigns and candidate visibility in shaping the final outcome.
End of report. This overview reflects ongoing regional analyses and the evolving post-election landscape in Poland, with local voters weighing party programs, candidate track records, and future policy directions that affect Łódź and its surrounding areas.
Credit: wPolityce