“I sincerely hope that those who have taken these steps will understand that they are acting not only to the detriment of PiS but also to the detriment of Poland. Today, we have a disastrous government in Poland and it needs to be changed. Division does not lead to such change,” said the leader of Law and Justice (PiS), Jarosław Kaczyński, commenting on the association founded by former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. He added that “he has an obligation to comply with the party statute, and this obligation is not merely formal but also pragmatic. A party has to be run in some way. One cannot allow another party to grow within an existing one.”
On Thursday evening, the leadership of Law and Justice (PiS) discussed the new initiative of former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki – the “Rozwój Plus” association. The conclusions of the presidium were presented by the party’s spokesperson.
“We addressed the issue of the association in a very calm and substantive manner. In its decision, the presidium reminds PiS members of the article that prohibits participation in other political organizations whose interests conflict with those of PiS,” said Rafał Bochenek.
As he noted: “The party presidium recommends the creation of an Expert Council within the party, where all those willing to engage in program initiatives will be able to operate. Such a council will be established, and this was the expectation of those involved in the presidium.”
Asked whether participation in Mateusz Morawiecki’s association could be grounds for termination of party membership, he replied that the association is inconsistent with the party statute.
Morawiecki listened to the briefing in the studio of TV Republika. Immediately after it ended, he responded to the party leadership’s decision.
“The expert council – this must have been an idea that emerged after I left. It certainly sounds good – I support such initiatives, they are worth establishing. Of course, no association, and there are many of them, acts against the party. It is obvious that we want to support the party in various ways,” he began.
In his view, potential consequences “would have to be applied retroactively to all associations that have existed for many years – such as Solidarna Polska or OdNowa.” He also announced that he does not intend to withdraw from establishing the association.
PiS Leader: A New Party Is Not Needed
Today, a press conference by PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński was held, devoted to this very issue.
“As for the meaning of what has been adopted as an advisory decision – because that is within the powers of this presidium – it is a decision stating that the statute is being recalled, which clearly prohibits activity in other political organizations. In our assessment, what has been established – this organization – has precisely such a character. It is already beginning to build local structures. Comparing it with other associations, in which PiS members, including MPs, are indeed involved – such as OdNowa – makes no sense. This is a different scale, and we do not see any intention there to turn it into a strictly political organization. I regard OdNowa as very useful. Here the situation is simple: we want to create, as was proposed, a new forum, because there have been statements that for some MPs there is no appropriate space for activity, no appropriate institutions, so we have announced their creation. That should be sufficient,” said the PiS leader.
He added that “the statute is equal for everyone, just as the law should be equal for everyone. Article 6 is entirely clear. Therefore, if this activity continues in this form – because these forms can be changed – and if statements are made, as they have been by very important figures, that this is a new proposal for a new electorate, then this is a party-type undertaking. In that case, a choice must be made. I say clearly that for those who would engage in this, there will be no places on our electoral lists. Other consequences stemming from the statute related to such activity will also be drawn.”
Kaczyński continued, expressing hope that “those who have taken these steps will understand that they are acting not only to the detriment of PiS but also to the detriment of Poland. Today, we have a disastrous government in Poland and it needs to be changed. Division does not lead to such change. However, there are no obstacles – which I want to emphasize – especially for Prime Minister Morawiecki, who today has many opportunities for activity. All of this is really not little. He also has other opportunities – he holds many meetings, often successful. We do not question that.”
“The point is simply to avoid a situation in which we would be dealing with a kind of parasitism – that is, using the institutions and capabilities of our party to create a new party that is not needed on the Polish political scene at this moment. What is needed is unity within PiS and, more broadly, unity of the right – but a reasonable one. Only then can we achieve the change we expect,” he added.
“Morawiecki Has an Obligation to Comply with the Statute”
He also referred to the evening meeting at Nowogrodzka. He admitted that “the discussion during the meeting was calm and civil. There were various assessments of the political situation. There were differences of opinion, but they do not create grounds for any split. However, if someone undertakes organizational activities of this kind, then unfortunately one must assume that they are at least considering such a possibility. And if they are considering it, it means they are causing harm.”
Referring directly to the association led by Mateusz Morawiecki, the PiS leader did not explicitly state whether he would support such an initiative. As he noted, “it all depends on the nature of the association.”
“I have already spoken about what is permissible and sometimes even beneficial, and what is not. There is no point in returning to that. The consequences are equal for everyone. Mateusz Morawiecki, just like me, is the same member of Law and Justice as everyone else. He is a vice-chairman, a very important figure, due to the fact that he was an excellent prime minister. He is a very capable person. I wish him all the best and hope that everything proceeds as well as possible within PiS. However, I have an obligation to comply with the statute, and this obligation is not merely formal but also pragmatic. A party has to be run in some way. One cannot allow another party to grow within an existing one,” he stressed.