The PiS spokesperson, Rafał Bochenek, explained in the PAP Studio that Jarosław Kaczyński, the party leader, was not invited to the Sovereign Poland convention. He noted that inviting coalition partners to major conventions had been a longstanding practice, and its absence felt like a missed opportunity within their camp.
A convention in Warsaw on Wednesday saw the Solidarna Polska banner renamed to Suwerenna Polska, and the group’s six core program postulates were unveiled to attendees.
Bochenek, speaking as a guest on Thursday, faced questions about the gathering from a coalition partner in the United Right. He confirmed that no PiS politicians attended the event.
“We did not receive an invitation, nor did our leadership,” he said. “But this is a decision made by our coalition partner, and we regret it somewhat because it used to be good practice for us to invite one another within the United Right, whether in the Republican circle or Mr. Marcin Ociepa’s faction.”
When pressed about whether President Kaczyński had also not been invited, the spokesman replied, “The President has not received such an invitation either.”
Bochenek added that this was understood to be an internal matter among the coalition partners, and he did not question the decision. He emphasized that inviting key figures to conventions had helped maintain unity within their political circles, but acknowledged this was an internal Solidarna Polska decision and did not require further comment.
Asked why Ziobro’s camp had changed its name, Bochenek said the question should be directed to the politicians within that faction. He suggested that the change stemmed from political calculations rather than a simple branding move.
“It’s actually quite a risky move.”
For years, the Solidarna Polska brand has been a familiar presence in Polish politics. Renaming the party after a long period is seen as a bold step, and there is no guarantee how voters will respond, Bochenek cautioned.
He described the decision to rebrand as an internal one, stating that it would be up to the party’s members to explain and defend the change as it moves forward.
When asked whether the United Right would enter the elections aligned with the Justice Minister’s party, Bochenek indicated that the decision was still in the works. He warned that recent conduct and statements at the convention could influence future choices, including how lists are built in the weeks ahead.
Bochenek then reiterated the central belief that unity should guide their electoral strategy. He argued that the United Right formula had proven effective, and that preserving autonomy within the coalition should not undermine the goal of presenting a united front in the upcoming elections.
He concluded that any moves away from the collective camp could harm the broader right-wing coalition in Poland, and urged the United Right to advance together as a whole.
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Source discussions and reactions followed the convention, with commentators noting the importance of the changes and their potential impact on the coalition’s posture in national politics.
— Politicians within Sovereign Poland discussed the new direction and the implications for party strategy. See the convention report for a closer look at the agenda and responses.
— A May PiS programming convention explored the Sovereign Poland question and the potential pillars of the program, including elements dating back to 2015.
— Debates continued after Sovereign Poland’s treaty discussions, with some observers suggesting that the party’s stance influenced polling dynamics and future alignment decisions.
Source: wPolityce