Ryszard Kalisz, a veteran figure in Polish politics who once led the Ministry of Interior and Administration and later served as a senior adviser in the presidential administration, is eyeing a comeback to active politics. Reports from RMF FM indicate he is close to becoming a Senate candidate on what is being described as a left‑leaning list. The intention appears to be a strategic move within the so‑called Senate pact.
RMF FM reporters report plans for Kalisz to contest the Senate elections from one of Warsaw’s districts. His candidacy is said to have strong backing from the broader leftist camp.
Shakes in the lists
Warsaw stands out as the electoral stage in Poland where many prominent politicians are drawn to participate. Because of this, competition for slots on party lists bound for the capital is exceptionally tight. The opposition already fields high‑profile names, including Marek Borowski, Adam Bodnar, and Aleksander Pociej, which raises the bar for anyone seeking to break through in the capital with a late bid.
Among the most plausible targets for a well‑established left‑wing figure to represent Warsaw is the Żoliborz-Białołęka-Śródmieście district, a seat currently associated with Kazimierz Ujazdowski. Ujazdowski previously won a Senate seat on the Civic Platform ticket, later aligning with the Polish People’s Party coalition. Given this history, ongoing talks within the opposition are expected to explore persuading Ujazdowski to pursue a different district and allocate his current Warsaw seat to Kalisz instead.
RMF FM additionally notes that Senate Deputy Speaker Gabriela Morawska‑Stanecka is not anticipated to be part of the Senate Pact due to a dispute with the left’s leadership. In the absence of a clear endorsement from the left for her candidacy, she could be replaced in the Silesian constituency by Andrzej Dziuba, the president of Tychy. The journalists suggest Morawska‑Stanecka may instead be offered a run on Civic Platform’s list.
European returns
In the broader context of Poland’s parliamentary battles, the likelihood of well‑known European Parliament figures returning to vie for Senate seats is rising. The ruling coalition appears inclined to nominate former Labor Minister Elżbieta Rafalska, a key organizer of the 500plus program, for a Senate race. RMF FM reports indicate she could face Wadim Tyszkiewicz in the Lubuskie district covering Żary, Żagań, Nowa Sól, and Wschowa.
Another notable figure from the United Right, Joanna Kopcińska, a former spokesperson for the government of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, is touted as a candidate for a Senate seat in Łódź. The political future of former Prime Minister Beata Szydło remains uncertain in this context.
There is also ambiguity surrounding two opposition figures who have declared Senate candidacies. Roman Giertych has announced plans to run in a Poznań‑area district, while Ryszard Petru targets a Warsaw seat in the Ursynów‑Wilanów‑Mokotów district. Journalists from RMF FM report that neither candidate has been formally nominated by their parties as part of a unified opposition pact for the Senate.
READ WITH INTEREST: The Senate Pact negotiations, the party dynamics in Warsaw, and strategic district allocations are central to the evolving political conversation in Poland. Analysts note that some factions are cautious about finalizing broad lists, while others view the timetable as firmly on track. These developments shape the near‑term maneuvering across both the government‑aligned and opposition camps.
pn/rmf24.pl