Ryszard Petru announced his dual political plans on Wednesday: to run for the Senate from his own committee and, after the election, to seek leadership of Nowoczesna, the party he co-founded eight years ago. This shift comes as he spoke publicly about his vision for Poland and the opposition’s path forward.
Petru will run for Senate
During a press conference, Petru stated that he would run for the Senate of the Republic of Poland from District 43 in Warsaw. The district encompasses Mokotów, Wilanów, Ursynów and Wawer. He expressed confidence that he understood the issues facing residents in these neighborhoods and spoke about what he believes the opposition should offer to voters who favor liberal principles and a competitive market economy.
Petru noted his openness to the Senate pact but emphasized that he would campaign under his own committee. He conveyed the belief that today, more than ever, the opposition needs a clear liberal free market alternative for voters who want options beyond the ruling party.
He also explained the reasoning behind his decision to participate in the elections, tying the move to a broader effort to present voters with a distinct, reform-minded platform that aligns with his long-standing political philosophy.
The battle for leadership in Nowoczesna
Petru reminded audiences that he remains a member of Nowoczesna, but he believes the party has not fully realized its potential within parliament. He signaled his intention to pursue the role of party leader after the elections, a position he helped establish eight years ago.
He highlighted the upcoming elections as a moment for Poles to decide the country’s democratic trajectory and the strength of its economy. The challenge, in his view, is for the opposition to win over supporters who currently align with PiS and other groups, consolidating a credible alternative.
Ryszard Petru is widely recognized as the founder and first leader of Nowoczesna. The party emerged from a 2015 founding congress in Warsaw, and by late August that year it was registered as Nowoczesna Ryszard Petru, achieving a notable share of the vote in the subsequent parliamentary elections. At that time, Petru served as chairman, with deputies including Joanna Schmidt and Katarzyna Lubnauer among others.
In the years that followed, Nowoczesna experienced fluctuations in support. Early surveys once placed popularity near the 30 percent mark, but the party later faced challenges. A notable incident involved a trip abroad by Petru and the party’s then Vice-President, Joanna Schmidt, during a moment of political tension in the Sejm, which drew media scrutiny over publicity and optics.
In 2017, leadership changed hands within Nowoczesna as Katarzyna Lubnauer became the head of the group, succeeding Petru after an internal election. The party continued to evolve, and in 2018 Petru left Nowoczesna to pursue other political avenues, citing a shift away from the core values of reform and common sense he had championed. He later explained that he could not take responsibility for a party whose direction he felt he could not influence. Later that year, he announced the creation of a new political effort, Teraz!, with other MPs joining the evolving lineup.
Petru returned to Nowoczesna in January 2022, aligning with the Civic Coalition alongside partner groups. The coalition currently includes several MPs and remains a central part of Poland’s broader opposition landscape as parties work to present a unified program in upcoming elections.