Regional Shifts in Polish Politics and the Rise of a New Parliamentary Circle
A notable number of deputies aligned with Kukiz’15 have formed a cohesive bloc, a move described by party leader Paweł Kukiz as creating a formal circle within the Sejm. Kukiz highlighted that this development followed his decision to participate on the PiS list during the recent parliamentary elections.
In a distinct arrangement with Law and Justice leader Jarosław Kaczyński, Kukiz left the United Right lists. On the back of this agreement, Kukiz secured 43,292 votes—finishing first in Opole—and renewed his mandate for another term. This personal victory mirrored the broader goal of his party to refocus its influence and maintain a seat at the table in Poland’s evolving political landscape.
Beyond Kukiz himself, other notable figures associated with Kukiz’15 also secured seats. Marek Jakubiak, the party’s secretary, and MP Jarosław Sachajko joined the Sejm again, alongside colleagues who work alongside Kukiz in various capacities. Among them are Agnieszka Ścigaj, a minister stationed in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, and Agnieszka Wojciechowska of Heukelom, who has engaged in social activism. Their election signals a broader base for Kukiz’15 and its ongoing agenda in the next parliamentary term.
Kukiz expressed satisfaction with both his personal performance and the results achieved by his allied lawmakers. He also noted a sense of regret that MP Stanisław Żuk could not extend his own tenure, underscoring the mixed outcomes that accompany any electoral cycle and the fragility of political opportunities.
Is Kukiz’15 Poised to Found a New Political Entity?
During a media discussion, Kukiz stated that the sheer number of newly elected MPs from his circle made the formation of a recognizable parliamentary group feasible. When pressed about whether such a group would formally establish itself or merge with the PiS club, he chose not to provide a definite answer. This ambiguity kept the door open for multiple strategic possibilities as the party navigates its next steps.
What Kukiz emphasized repeatedly was that the core ideas he and his colleagues champion would endure regardless of organizational changes. He pointed to the continued relevance of proposals such as referendums and broader civic participation as central to their platform. The emphasis on direct democracy and public engagement remained a throughline for his current and future efforts.
In a broader context, Kukiz noted that voter turnout in the national referendum, held concurrently with the elections, stood at 40.91 percent. He described this figure as insufficient to render the referendum binding, framing it as a political signal rather than a mandate for policy. The outcome, he argued, did not alter the electoral results but did influence discourse on migration policy within the European Union. He suggested that the EU would note a general openness among Poles toward refugee quotas, a point he framed as part of a larger policy conversation rather than a directive for immediate action.
For Kukiz, these developments underlined the value of his broader reform agenda. He cited attempts to overhaul the referendum law and to integrate civic education more deeply into the school curriculum as elements that reinforce his broader mission. His comments framed the electoral results as a step in a longer process aimed at shaping Poland’s political culture and constitutional civic life.
The regional and national implications of these shifts are still being weighed by political observers. The emergence of a new circle within the Sejm, alongside the continued activity of Kukiz’15 members, suggests a landscape that may feature more fluid alliances and a sustained emphasis on direct democracy and civic engagement. The next parliamentary term is expected to test how these ideas translate into legislative influence and policy outcomes, particularly in areas related to referendums, education, and the management of public discourse on national and EU-level issues.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce