Piotr Cieplucha stands out as one of the youngest leaders in Polish public life, earning the nickname “the young wolf” while serving as deputy to the Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro. Although not an MP, he has opportunities to pursue a parliamentary mandate and shape policy from the highest chamber. This piece traces his life and the political arc that brought him to the ministry’s inner circle.
Born in Łódź in 1990, Cieplucha earned a degree in administration from the University of Łódź and pursued postgraduate studies in social welfare organization at the Social Academy of Sciences. He also holds an EMBA. From early on, geopolitics captivated him. His master’s thesis explored the Intermarium concept, a topic of renewed relevance amid ongoing regional tensions on Poland’s eastern flank.
For more than a decade and a half, Cieplucha has engaged with the sociopolitical life of Łódź and the surrounding region. He supported local communities, local government bodies, volunteer fire brigades, and schools. He advocated for residents who protested perceived injustices and for people affected by changes to local development plans. He opposes aggressive interference by developers in urban spaces and is reputed to always lend a helping hand to those in need.
Previously, Cieplucha directed the State Forest Development and Implementation Center, served as an advisor to two voivodes, and led the Łódź Provincial Office’s Ministry of Health, Family and Social Policy for many years. He is qualified to head organizational units in the social welfare sector and has chaired or served on multiple NGO boards.
The political path
Cieplucha began his political journey in 2008 with Law and Justice. After the party split, he joined Solidarna Polska under Ziobro. His dedication and effectiveness propelled him to lead party structures in the Łódź district and to head the youth wing of the Solidarity Poland Youth Club.
Known for his loyalty within sovereign Poland, he is described by colleagues as reliable and patient, often ready to take on responsibilities to benefit others. Former members of the SP youth group highlight his willingness to cooperate and his tendency to avoid conflicts, a combination seen as unusual in politics.
Shortly after, Cieplucha became Zbigniew Ziobro’s assistant during Ziobro’s tenure as a member of the European Parliament. Their paths intersected again when he joined the minister’s political office while Ziobro was in government.
In 2021, Cieplucha was named the second deputy voivode of Łódź, placing him among the youngest voivodes in the country. Two years later, he was appointed State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice. In that role, he oversaw matters related to safety, cybersecurity, judicial institutions, and the implementation of the Justice Fund’s initiatives in supporting volunteer fire brigades and hospitals. He also carried the title of Secretary General of Sovereign Poland.
Private life and interests
In his spare time, he enjoys running, target shooting, and swimming. He notes that time for regular training is hard to find, but he makes an effort to stay active when possible. He appreciates Latin music and culture and values travel and time with friends, with colleagues often describing him as someone who can light up a room with his humor and warmth.
From a young age, he cultivated an interest in history and archaeology. He collects old maps, studying them to compare past realities with the present. He enjoys exploring the local histories of Łódź and nearby areas, drawn to the descriptions of places once written about by the Polish Nobel laureate Władysław Reymont. He collaborates with driving and patriotic groups and relishes observing people pursuing their interests, finding motivation in their dedication.
Although he is not a Member of Parliament yet, Cieplucha plans to run for a seat. He notes that the Łódź constituency presents a challenging landscape for the right wing, given the city’s reputation as a red stronghold. He believes that the community he represents can grow its support by restoring confidence in local opportunities and highlighting the region’s strategic central position, which has spurred development in recent years.
Colleagues describe him as always available to help and quick to answer the phone. His empathy and willingness to assist have earned him praise, and some see him as a strong candidate for parliament who will continue to benefit people as he has done so far. He is viewed as diligent and principled, not self-serving, and as someone who will seize opportunities with perseverance.
Will he succeed in winning the hearts of Łódź residents? That question will be settled in mid-October. One thing remains certain: he will not back down from a challenge.
Citation: wPolityce