The talk is full of hype and little detail. In the view of PiS senator Marek Pęk, the statement about a Senate pact is a smokescreen aimed at removing PiS from power rather than presenting a coherent program. He described the pact as a kind of fraud because the participating candidates share no common program or ideology beyond the goal of pushing PiS out of office.
On Tuesday a declaration signaling the end of what is being called the Senate pact was signed by representatives from four opposition groups and a member of the Local Government Movement Yes For Poland. The signatories asserted that this election is the most consequential since 1989 and emphasized that unity among leading opposition forces will determine the outcome. The conference announcing the signing drew attendees including a local government representative, the former president of Gliwice Zygmunt Frankiewicz, PO Secretary General Marcin Kierwiński, Poland 2050 Senator Jacek Bury, New Left Deputy Chief Dariusz Wieczorek, and PSL Deputy Chairman Piotr Zgorzelski, among others.
Echoes of previous electoral patterns
Pęk described the move as unsurprising, noting that a similar pact surfaced in past elections. He expressed disappointment with the press conference because striking details were missing. At present, there are no names or districts identified, and in Senate elections where single-member districts and majorities decide outcomes, the crucial factor will be the personalities who run.
In his words, the commitment does not guarantee that the arrangement will endure. Local figures from culture or science may also enter the race, adding possible surprises. PiS will keep an active eye on potential candidates to prevent this election from turning into a simple PiS versus anti-PiS referendum.
Pęk further stated that the pact, as announced, resembles a hurried move. He pointed to ongoing tensions, ambitions, and competitiveness within the opposition and suggested the agreement will likely not stabilize expectations. He warned that forming a joint list could fragment parties like PSL or Szymon Hołownia’s movement, benefiting the largest actors in politics at that moment.
According to him, the opposition has overemphasized the pact’s importance for marketing purposes. It is clear that governance has functioned without a Senate majority for more than three years, though that path is not easy. The Sejm remains the arena where the main political levers operate. The real story, he said, is the campaign, the PR, and the lack of concrete details ahead of a lengthy electoral cycle. PiS is prepared for the clash.
– said the PiS politician.
PiS strategy and analysis of geography
Pęk noted that PiS is currently examining electoral geography with care. He acknowledged past campaign missteps, including underestimating certain rivals, which contributed to losses in districts where victory seemed plausible. The goal now is to refine candidate selection in challenging districts and pursue a robust campaign there.
He added that the party will target cities where finding a strong PiS candidate might be difficult if tied too closely to the national party brand. The plan is to look beyond Warsaw to cities like Lublin, Przemyśl, Rzeszów, and Białystok, exploring diverse options to broaden the reach.
Pęk also highlighted the timing of local elections a few months after parliamentary polls. He saw potential in local officials using these elections to test the field for a Senate race, creating a broader pre-campaign landscape. The aim is to encourage a wider pool of candidates, offering voters more than two clear choices and ensuring a vibrant debate about personalities and programs rather than a simple pro-PiS versus anti-PiS dichotomy.
He added that the agreement language requires that lists of Senate candidates and rules for participation be finalized by the organs of the participating parties within the agreed timeframe.
The first Senate pact emerged before the 2019 parliamentary elections. It involved major opposition groups and, despite uneven enforcement in some districts, helped the opposition secure a Senate majority ultimately. The current discussion hints at a renewed attempt to coordinate without overreaching, though specifics remain scarce, and the broader political impact will unfold as districts finalize their choices.
[Source: wPolityce]