Today the ruling party faces a defensive stance. It is expected to lose the local elections, yet it will contest every inch of ground, aiming to hold onto influence — remarked Jan Grabiec, head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, in an interview with the Polish press agency. The Civic Coalition also pledged to strive for victory to safeguard local governments from the absorption of PiS nominees, he noted.
A campaign launch for the Civic Coalition’s local government effort took place in Warsaw on Saturday.
“We pursue victory and want to restore power to the people. Just as we did in October, during the parliamentary elections, we will now rebuild local government in April through the local elections, to get everything back on track. They have turned things upside down, and not for the better,”
said Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister and leader of the Civic Coalition.
Tusk’s activity
Jan Grabiec explained that the Prime Minister will remain active in the local government campaign as his duties allow, with the main thrust coming from the candidates themselves, tens of thousands of contenders campaigning across their cities. The final result will depend on their concerted efforts.
He added that KO candidates are highly motivated after the October 15 electoral victory. Of course, the campaign will unfold and PiS appears to be on the defensive. The strategy of Jarosław Kaczyński makes it tougher for PiS candidates to participate in local elections. Many PiS hopefuls are transitioning to committees that should not be linked to PiS, signaling a shift away from the PiS brand.
“I’ll be frank: PiS is likely to lose these elections, yet PiS politicians will fight for every foothold to rebuild the country and return to power,”
he noted.
At the same time, he warned that a return to power by PiS would lead to a much harsher political climate than the past eight years, with the party taking bolder steps in how it wields authority.
“That is why every clash and every district where we fight matters,”
he said, stressing the importance of rebuilding local communities and letting residents decide their affairs locally.
Grabiec highlighted that KO will press for victory in the upcoming elections and to “protect local authorities from the landing” of PiS nominees who, through party connections, have held positions in state-owned enterprises and public administrations, only to seek new roles after a power shift. They are likely to make their first moves in areas where PiS governs at the moment.
Grabiec also mentioned the Warsaw campaign, where incumbent mayor Rafał Trzaskowski is in the race. “We listen to the people of Warsaw with humility. Our rival is PiS and the PiS candidate, who will use Warsaw as a launchpad for national elections,” he said. He also noted that the outcome in Warsaw will be telling for the broader campaign.
“The entire campaign is ahead of us and every moment matters until the last day,”
the official emphasized, underscoring the need to compete at all levels — voivodeships, provinces and municipalities.
The municipal elections are scheduled for Sunday, April 7, with a second round for mayors and city presidents on April 21.
Grabiec’s statements on foreign policy and U.S. relations
Grabiec commented on a meeting between Poland and the United States, hoping that any visit by President Andrzej Duda would not be deployed to bolster former President Donald Trump. He noted that Trump’s plans for Poland’s security are concerning, given ongoing discussions about NATO and U.S. troops in Europe.
When asked about preparations for a joint meeting with the U.S. leader and about cooperation between the president and the prime minister on international policy, Grabiec said he expected substantive collaboration during that period.
He also warned against statements from presidential or PiS circles that could be interpreted as support for Trump’s candidacy in the U.S. elections, stressing the importance of a stable Poland-first foreign policy shaped by the government and consistent with constitutional provisions.
Grabiec noted that while he remains confident in the electoral verdict, there is concern about the resolve of PiS politicians. He suggested that Trump’s approach would be a political argument used in the campaign, though its effectiveness in a local-government race remains to be seen.
In closing, he pointed to the importance of a united foreign policy between the Prime Minister and the President, one that reflects the government’s direction and avoids conflicting signals as the country engages with allies abroad.