“He is the President of the Republic of Poland, not that man from the cabaret.”
The opposition, together with allied groups, has won a larger share of seats than the governing party and now pressures President Andrzej Duda to appoint a candidate for forming a new government. Several avenues have been discussed, including political pressure aimed at influencing the presidency.
There is a clear expectation that the president will remember his role as the head of state rather than a figure associated with a political circle. The coalition parties urge PiS to recognize the realities of the political moment and to act accordingly, hoping for a timely and orderly transfer of power, conditioned by the president’s approach to the situation on the ground.
— In a TVN24 interview, Barbara Nowacka of the Civic Coalition emphasized that political integrity requires accountability for matters that should not be forgotten or forgiven lightly.
She added that the nation must not forget actions that could harm the dignity of the Republic of Poland and that dialogue with the president is necessary today. The question remains how the ruling party will hand over power, given the president’s stance and public expectations regarding legality and legitimacy in state procedures.
— The remarks reflect a broader demand for accountability and a call for cautious and lawful conduct by the executive branch.
“Mr. President handles this habit selectively.”
Marcin Kierwiński, a Civic Coalition member, expects the president to entrust Donald Tusk with the mission of forming a government. In comments given before the election lull, the head of state had said that, as is customary, he would first consult the party with the strongest electoral result.
There is a perception that the president should apply the standard practice of appointing the leader of the largest party capable of building a majority. Kierwiński noted that talks with PiS are not taking place and that no path to a PiS-led majority exists, highlighting the political reality in Sejm negotiations.
— He spoke to Polsat News on the day of his remarks, underscoring the issue of conforming to established conventions while navigating current political constraints.
“It no longer depends on Kaczyński and Nowogrodzka.”
Marek Sawicki, a PSL deputy, offered his own counsel to the president, suggesting that an advisory group from the winning parties could propose a candidate for prime minister. Sawicki argued that the president should consider such a multi-party recommendation and urged him to revisit the matter of the Supreme Court law before the Constitutional Court.
He stressed the president should act as the president of all Poles, rising above partisan divisions to pursue a constructive collaboration with the new parliament for the sake of the country’s governance and stability in the second term.
— Sawicki’s comments followed a RMF FM interview, where he called for broader consultation and a departure from narrowly partisan approaches in favor of national unity.
“So far he has shown no evidence of national thinking.”
Katarzyna Lubnauer of the Civic Coalition urged that the president give the opposition a chance, especially given the delicate situation in Ukraine and the broader regional context. She argued that the president should demonstrate a commitment to Poland’s well-being rather than exclusive political calculations.
Lubnauer also implied that there could be timing considerations about how quickly documents are handled, suggesting that delaying or selectively managing files could be interpreted as a strategic choice. Her comments were made during a recent interview with a major online publication.
“If the president wants to save face.”
Jan Grabiec, a spokesman for the Civic Platform, focused on the emotional dimensions of the current moment. He stated that if the president aims to preserve his standing as the president of all Poles, he must avoid appointing a prime ministerial candidate without a parliamentary majority. Doing so could undermine the credibility of the office and the process itself.
In a subsequent appearance on a television program, Michał Kobosko of Poland 2050 echoed the sentiment that the president is not bound to act in what might seem immediately logical if it contravenes the democratic principles of governance. He argued that the standard practice—entrusting the task to a coalition member with a clear majority—is the most pragmatic path in a state governed by the rule of law. Any alternative could be seen as an unnecessary delay in Poland’s political calendar.
— Kobosko emphasized the urgency of decisive action to prevent prolonged stagnation in governance and to avoid wasting time as the country navigates post-election arrangements.
As the discussion unfolds, the opposition continues to press for respect toward the presidency while acknowledging the government’s future program and cabinet composition may hinge on the head of state’s approach to constitutional norms and parliamentary reality.
Analysts note the political rhetoric reflects a broader contest over how power is shared in Poland and how the president’s role can bridge divisions while facilitating urgent governance. The exchanges highlight a critical moment in Polish politics, where constitutional norms, parliamentary strength, and presidential leadership intersect on questions of legitimacy, accountability, and the direction of the nation’s policy agenda.
— Coverage of these events has appeared across major outlets and broadcasts, with ongoing commentary from political groups and commentators about the best path forward for forming a stable government in Poland.