In a pivotal moment for Polish politics, President Andrzej Duda concluded a series of consultations on Wednesday with key political parties, as the nation waits with bated breath to see the formation of the next government following last week’s general elections.
The meetings, which took place over the course of two days, saw President Duda engaging with representatives from various political factions. Discussions with the Law and Justice (PiS) party and the Civic Coalition (KO) were held on Tuesday, followed by talks with the Third Way, the New Left, and the far-right Confederation on Wednesday.
The order of the meetings was determined by the number of votes received by each party in the recent elections. The ruling Law and Justice party, although winning the most votes, fell short of securing a majority in the Sejm, the lower house of parliament. This situation has opened the door for opposition parties to propose the formation of a coalition government, potentially shifting the balance of power in the country.
Leaders of the three major opposition groups, which collectively won the majority of parliamentary seats, have expressed their readiness to form a new government. Donald Tusk, the leader of the largest opposition party, Civic Platform (PO), is being considered for the role of the head of the new government. According to constitutional norms, the president can assign the task of forming a government to a nominated representative of a party.
Traditionally, this responsibility falls upon the leader of the party that secured the most seats in the Sejm, which in this case would be Law and Justice. However, considering the unity among the opposition parties, President Duda is also contemplating the possibility of appointing Tusk to lead the government.
Szymon Holownia, one of the leaders of the Third Way party, shared insights after his meeting with President Duda. Holownia stated, “The President made it clear that he intends to convene the first session of the new Sejm, probably at the last moment, emphasizing his desire not to shorten the term of the current Sejm.” As of now, President Duda has yet to announce his choice for the prime ministerial candidate.
The nation eagerly awaits further developments as these consultations mark a critical step in shaping Poland’s political landscape for the coming years.