A controversy has unfolded around the Third Way list ahead of local elections in the Zamość region. Reports indicate that activists from the PSL removed nearly all Poland 2050 candidates from the district council slate. In response, a Poland 2050 candidate who shares the name of the PSL MP who leads the party’s council faction presented a list of structures for the regional council in Zamość, creating a public clash between the two parties.
The sequence of events began with questions about how the situation developed. Sławomir Ćwik, a Polish MP from 2050, noted that almost all Poland 2050 candidates were eliminated from the Third Way list for the Zamość District Council. This raised concerns about the casting of the electoral slate and the process by which candidates were added or removed. There are claims that the arrangements were dictated outside of the Poland 2050 representatives’ consent, leading to a perception of unilateral action in the listing process.
In a statement attributed to Ćwik, the parties agreed to include the Poland 2050 candidates on the lists. Yet a PSL representative, acting without prior notice or consent from the Poland 2050 team, proceeded to register the lists at the committee in a move that effectively sidelined the Poland 2050 candidates. This incident sparked debate about the procedures followed and the respect for agreed coalitional norms.
Why did PSL decide to take this path? Circles within the People’s Party, as reported by WP, indicated that an unaccepted PSL activist had acted against the preferences of the party’s allies on the list. Afterward, the activist joined Poland 2050, and the coalition then decided to remove not only that candidate but several other Poland 2050 activists as well. The move was framed by some as a reaction to internal disagreements and perceived manipulation in the selection process.
One party representative insisted that there would be no tolerance for attempts to influence the coalition from within or outside, emphasizing that voices from party structures must be heard before any lists are finalized. In remarks to WP, Arkadiusz Bratkowski, a PSL councilor and head of the Zamość PSL structures, stressed that it was essential to respect the input of local party bodies and to avoid unilateral prerogatives in list formation.
Later developments showed that on the Third Way list for the Lublin Voivodeship Assembly, a new name appeared immediately after Arkadiusz Bratkowski: Mariusz Bratkowski, identified as a Poland 2050 member who is pursuing a seat in the Regional Assembly. Bratkowski, a former prison service employee, has been described as a new figure entering politics and as someone not connected by blood or family ties to Bratkowski in the PSL context.
Observers noted the registration process raised questions about personal connections and potential misrepresentation on official records. Some remarks suggested that the situation could be misunderstood as a coincidence driven by a common surname, while others pointed to possible attempts to leverage name recognition for political advantage. The electoral authorities reportedly sought clarifications as candidates were enrolled, underscoring the importance of transparency in coalition politics and candidate placement.
In discussions with WP, a senior PSL figure commented that the episode involved broader dynamics of the alliance and suggested that the episode might be part of a larger pattern of tensions within the Third Way coalition. The same source indicated that some members viewed the episode as an early sign that the harmony between PSL and Poland 2050 could be challenged as 2050’s role within the coalition evolved. Yet Ćwik denied suggesting that the discord was a strategy aimed at undermining the partnership, asserting that no retaliatory motive was at play.
Questions remain about how much influence local party structures wield over national coalition decisions and how disputes are resolved when candidate lists are at stake. Analysts note that coalitions in regional politics often walk a tight line between shared goals and local autonomy, which can give rise to conflicts during the candidate selection phase. The unfolding episode in Zamość illustrates the delicate balance between consensus-building and assertive maneuvering by party factions within a broader political alliance. It also highlights how similar name recognition can complicate the interpretation of who represents which group on ballot papers and in party structures. The situation continues to draw attention from those tracking political alliances and electoral integrity in the region. (Citation: WP)
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Source: wPolityce