Political news in Poland is marked by the legislative elections which take place this Sunday. With 29 million voters called to the polls, these elections are of crucial importance for the future of the country and its relations with the European Union and Ukraine.
According to polls, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party is expected to obtain the largest number of votes. However, forming a government coalition could prove difficult, opening the door to the opposition led by Donald Tusk, former head of the European Council.
If PiS wins, this could lead to an exacerbation of tensions with Brussels and kyiv. Many concerns relate to the future of the rule of law, press freedom and the rights of women and migrants.
The ruling party focused its campaign on maintaining Poland’s sovereignty within the European Union. However, the opposition accused PiS of having “secret plans” to leave the EU and of leading the country in the wrong direction.
PiS’s controversial reforms to the justice system have also drawn strong criticism from the European Union, which sees them as an attack on democracy.
In this electoral race, a possible coalition partner for PiS could be the Confederation, a far-right party. However, the formation of such an alliance seems unlikely due to existing tensions between the two parties.
The opposition, for its part, is banking on a possible coalition between Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition, the Left and the Third Way.
Beyond national issues, these legislative elections are also closely scrutinized by Ukraine and its Western allies. Poland, as a major supporter of kyiv, plays a vital role in providing aid to Ukraine. However, with growing weariness among the Polish population, it is important to see what political directions the future government will take.
Regardless, these legislative elections in Poland are a key moment for the country’s democracy and will have significant repercussions both nationally and internationally.