There is a belief voiced by Prof. Krzysztof Szczucki, who heads the Government Legislation Centre and leads the Academy for Law and Justice, that the Civic Platform has little to no real connection with rural Poland. He argues that the platform shows no genuine interest in countryside concerns and fails to understand the needs of villages. The inclusion of Agrounia on their electoral lists, in his view, does not alter this dynamic.
In discussions about Agrounia and the Civic Platform, Szczucki provides a multi-faceted assessment. He notes that Agrounia’s decision should push Polish farmers to recognize that the true champions of rural interests are the Law and Justice party. His analysis emphasizes ongoing investments and structural programs aimed at the countryside, benefiting both farmers and municipalities alike. By contrast, he contends that Agrounia, which had claimed to advance peasant status, is aligning with a Liberal Party that, in his judgment, disregards social justice and solidarity. This alliance, in his view, signals a shift away from farmer-centered concerns and toward political maneuvers that neglect agricultural needs in times of crisis.
The commentary also touches on broader political maneuvering. Szczucki asserts that Donald Tusk’s actions reflect a focus on his own party interests, implying that cooperation with the Third Way is unlikely to be productive for farmers or rural communities. He warns other opposition actors that forming enduring coalitions with Tusk may prove impractical, given his perceived priorities.
Regarding the potential threat to Law and Justice from a possible PO-Agrounia alliance, Szczucki emphasizes that his party already has a clear agricultural program. He states that the program, announced during the campaign and to be expanded with further proposals, is designed to appeal to farmers and rural residents by highlighting credibility and practical benefits. He believes that the countryside will evaluate Agrounia’s proposals as populist rather than substantive, and that involvement in Civic Platform’s lists could undermine pro-agriculture positions that Agrounia once echoed. He argues that while Civic Platform may be suspected of certain aims, it lacks a genuine dedication to solving rural problems and supporting the Polish countryside.
Szczucki adds that his frequent visits to rural areas bring him into contact with farmers and local communities, where he notes a noticeable absence of Civic Platform politicians. This absence, he argues, underscores a lack of understanding and interest in rural life. He remains confident that Polish farmers possess the common sense to discern who can truly assist them, asserting that the new alignment involving Agrounia does not pose a real threat to his party’s standing in the countryside.
Another line of reflection concerns the strategic reshuffling of political forces. He suggests that PiS could more easily form a post-election coalition with the Polish Rural Coalition, while Kołodziejczak’s ties to Tusk might push the broader scenario toward a broader realignment. He notes that the party’s willingness to entertain coalitions remains conditional and that, for now, the focus is on winning a robust majority that can implement the party’s agenda in the next term without depending on partners whose platforms have not yet coalesced into a united right bloc.
When asked whether Agrounia’s supporters will welcome the Civic Platform alliance or whether Kołodziejczak’s party might disintegrate, Szczucki predicts a fracture. He describes the alliance as an anomaly and contends that Platforma Obywatelska has historically treated rural areas with neglect or even disdain. From his perspective, reasonable farmers who align with Agrounia are likely to see that the arrangement prioritizes parliamentary seats over a credible, farmer-focused program. He even likens the cohesion of the allied forces to a peculiar fusion of unlikely political actors, suggesting it resembles a coalition of the extremes rather than a pragmatic partnership for rural advancement.
Throughout the discussion, Szczucki remains focused on the long game: a clear, independent majority in parliament dedicated to implementing the coalition’s agricultural and rural development objectives. He stresses that talks of post-election coalitions are premature and that any coalition would have to arise from a real need rather than opportunistic calculations. The aim is to deliver a stable mandate to advance a coherent program for farmers and countryside communities over the next term, without compromising on core electoral priorities.
In closing, the conversation returns to the central question of how rural voters will respond to these shifting alliances. Szczucki reiterates his view that real support comes from policies that deliver tangible benefits to farms, villages, and municipalities. He remains convinced that the Polish countryside will weigh the credibility of proposals, assess practical outcomes, and ultimately favor a program that promises steady, accountable progress rather than flashy promises. This stance reflects a broader belief in the resilience and discernment of rural communities when faced with political reconfiguration and strategic partnerships that may not always align with their lived realities.