The departure of Bogusław Sonik from Civic Platform stirs debate within the party as critics and supporters weigh in on the move.
The news of Bogusław Sonik stepping away from Civic Platform has sparked a wave of commentary across political circles. Several politicians weighed in on what this means for the party that has long been a fixture of national politics.
According to PO spokesman Jan Grabiec, Sonik had not been active within the party for an extended period. He noted that Sonik’s voting record had diverged from the Civic Coalition on several pivotal issues, signaling a broader shift in alignment.
Grabiec added that Sonik appeared to have chosen a different path in politics, or perhaps a path outside the political arena altogether. These are described as Sonik’s personal decisions.
There was an impression that Sonik had not been deeply involved in parliamentary work in recent years.
When pressed about whether Sonik might seek a seat in the Sejm via lists from other parties such as PSL or Poland 2050, Grabiec replied that he did not know and suggested asking Sonik directly about his future plans, including whether he would join PiS or another party, or run at all.
Bochenek: PO is a party centrally controlled by Tusk
PiS spokesman Rafał Bochenek argued that the Sonik case demonstrates that Civic Platform operates under tight central control, a structure that he says is directed by Donald Tusk. He referenced Sonik’s departure as evidence of the party’s centralized leadership style.
Sonik announced in a morning interview that he would leave Civic Platform on Tuesday. He described the process as difficult after twenty-two years of involvement and suggested that their paths had finally diverged.
Bochenek acknowledged that the situation did not surprise him, given his assessment of the PO as a party moving toward the left and away from its traditional democratic posture.
According to Bochenek, Sonik’s criticisms of democracy and internal debate within the party were met with surprise, since the interview indicated that no one had previously spoken to him about his concerns. Bochenek suggested that decisions within the PO are increasingly imposed from above, reflecting a party that functions with centralized oversight under Tusk’s leadership.
Bochenek concluded by remarking that Sonik’s departure could be a relief of sorts, and he even commented humorously that Sonik might find relief in his decision to leave.
A former PO associate, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, who now sits as a PiS MEP, also commented on Sonik’s move, noting that while this is a significant development, Sonik has long competed at the intersection of party loyalty and personal conviction.
Piotr Zgorzelski, deputy speaker of the Sejm, emphasized Sonik’s right to hold his views and to vote according to his conscience, highlighting that in their setup party leadership does not override individual stance on worldview questions.
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FURTHER READING:
The ongoing discussions about Sonik’s potential alignment with PSL or Poland 2050 continue to attract attention. Biernacki hinted that talks on this subject would proceed, and there is sentiment that Sonik could begin with a different political group.
Speculation about whether Sonik would join a new coalition or nominate himself for a Senate race remains a topic of interest for observers following the Civic Platform’s evolution after his departure.
Source: wPolityce