Since Friday, Gazeta Wyborcza has been stirring emotions around a poll released that day. Editor Jarosław Kurski announced a dramatic twist in the editorial, turning the poll into a potential game changer. The publication casts a shadow over partners by the weekend, suggesting that the poll could pressure political figures from the opposition to act quickly.
The poll results arrived as a striking surprise. It remains uncertain whether this marks the first major warning for the Democrats. A broad citizen-led survey financed by donations was conducted by Stichting Forum Lange Tafel, with four thousand respondents surveyed by a certified Kantar Public studio. This was not a poll commissioned by any party; it was devised and funded by citizens for citizens. Its aim was to answer a central question: can a united opposition defeat PiS if candidates run on a single list, two lists, three lists, or four lists? The organizers promised to publish results on Monday morning in Wyborcza, with ongoing in-depth analysis by age, turnout expectations, political affiliations, and possible parliamentary seat allocations in the next Sejm.
According to Kurski, the research did not present groundbreaking revelations. Wyborcza suggested the strongest outcome would come from a single, united opposition list. The publication also raised concerns about presentation and methodology, noting that a scenario where KO and the Left run separately, with PSL and Polska 2050 forming a coalition, was not explored in this release.
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Nevertheless, the weekend publication allowed Donald Tusk to apply pressure on potential partners, signaling that a joint list could be demanded and implying consequences if cooperation did not materialize.
One speaker remarked that the specific lineup on the lists was not the focal point. Hołownia’s potential advance in the ranking may be met with indifference by some, while others argue that the core issue remains the same: the desire to prevent PiS from another term. The speaker emphasized personal stakes, acknowledging that losing the election would bring severe political consequences, and suggested goodwill toward rivals even if competition remains intense.
– said during a meeting with voters.
There were threats that party leaders would be asked to form a joint list, and that if coalition talks failed, a broad base of voters disenchanted with PiS would be invited to back a common, strongest possible slate. The message on social media underscored a zero-tolerance stance toward dissent: there would be one list.
Jan Grabiec echoed a similar line, arguing that a single list was the only acceptable outcome and warning that without it, the opposition could fracture beyond repair. Either the party leaders would accept this condition, or such parties would fail to unite, Grabiec warned.
Today’s developments suggest that the weekend poll, released before major campaign events, was crafted to place pressure on less cohesive partners. The tactic appears to be aimed at constraining negotiations and accelerating decisions among smaller factions that might otherwise hesitate to join a broader front. Some observers question whether this approach will succeed, noting that the PSL may have counted on its role in a European coalition to salvage votes, while the Left might prefer an independent route to consolidate left-leaning votes. The question remains whether individual politicians, under pressure, can resist the urge to chase a single list that could deliver a stronger outcome for the broader opposition.
There is still debate about the best path forward. If the opposition can present a credible, unified alternative, it could sway voters who currently doubt a smooth transfer of power after the election. Yet polls consistently show a sizable portion of the electorate convinced that PiS will secure a third term, fueling the sense of panic within the opposition. The ongoing dialogue about strategy, unity, and leadership continues to shape the political climate as campaigns move forward.
Source: wPolityce