In the Małopolskie Voivodeship, neither Voivode Krzysztof Jan Klęczar from the PSL nor MP Łukasz Kmita from PiS secured the necessary support to become marshal. The vote tally showed no candidate reaching an outright majority, with Klęczar garnering 18 votes and Kmita 14. Of the ballots cast, 39 were valid while seven were invalid. The outcome underscored a political stalemate that required further action.
An extraordinary session is planned
On the same day, Jan Tadeusz Duda announced the scheduling of an extraordinary session for Monday evening. The session will attempt a fourth vote in the quest to elect a marshal. This move follows a request from the Civic Coalition. The development marks a continuous effort to resolve the impasse through parliamentary procedure.
Kmita has been the sole candidate for the marshal’s post in earlier rounds, yet he has consistently failed to secure a majority despite PiS holding broad sway in the Voivodeship Assembly. The repeated rounds have highlighted the challenge of reconciling party lines with the broader assembly consensus.
A rival emerges unexpectedly
In a surprising turn, the coalition partners KO and Trzecia Droga put forward a contender for the marshal’s role: Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, the sitting voivode of Małopolska and head of the Małopolskie PSL structure. The move reframed the race by elevating a candidate who represents a cross-party appeal rather than a single party’s line.
Regulations require the Voivodeship Assembly to elect a marshal within three months from the date the election results are announced. That deadline would fall before July 9, and a failure to reach a decision would necessitate fresh elections to fill the post.
Unofficial information suggests that several council members connected to the current marshal, Witold Kozłowski, and figures like Beata Szydło and Andrzej Adamczyk, are reluctant to back the PiS-picked candidate. The central PiS authorities have warned that there will be consequences for those who resist the party’s directives. The unfolding dynamics point to tensions between local representatives and regional party leadership as pivotal factors shaping the vote.
The situation has drawn attention across national political circles. Analysts note that the Małopolskie election process now carries implications beyond the region, contributing to a broader discussion about coalition stability and party discipline across Poland. The parliamentary choreography remains delicate, with every vote potentially shifting the balance of power in the assembly. This moment is being watched closely by observers who emphasize the interplay between local autonomy and national party strategy.
The following developments are being closely tracked: the ongoing third, and now fourth, attempt to elect the marshal, the possibility of new elections if the deadline passes without a decision, and the evolving stances of key political actors who influence how the assembly will proceed. The political landscape in Lesser Poland continues to evolve as actors weigh strategic concessions against steadfast party lines, shaping the region’s leadership in the near term.
Note: the evolving story is being reported by several outlets, with attribution to on-the-ground reports and subsequent summaries from coverage teams. (attribution: wPolityce)
Source: summarised reports from local political coverage