The centre-right Poland 2050 grouping and the rural-based Polish People’s Party (PSL) on Thursday announced they were putting up a united front and going into the elections together.
Poland 2050 leader Szymon Hołownia told reporters at a news conference in Warsaw that the team-up marked a major step for the Polish opposition as it seeks to prevent the ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party from holding onto power for a third term.
"We are here today to say that we have agreed to do good things for Poland together, and that there is hope," Hołownia said.
PSL leader Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told the news conference that his party and Poland 2050 had a joint "plan for Poland" and were an attractive alternative for those who want to see national politics change after the elections.
"We come from different backgrounds, but we share the same ideals and want to contest the elections together," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
He added: "We want to win these elections and we will do everything to win them. We have a plan on how to win."
The announcement of the team-up came after Poland 2050 and the PSL last month launched a joint tour of the country ahead of the autumn’s elections, promoting “a shared list of 21 policy issues” they pledged to resolve after taking power.
The "21 policy issues" include "reducing the influence of party officials over the state," restoring the rule of law, increasing pay for teachers, and relaxing abortion rules, followed by a referendum on abortion rights, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Szymon Hołownia. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell
Meanwhile, Poland’s governing conservatives in March launched an effort to win a third consecutive term in power, starting a nationwide tour to rally voters ahead of the elections and promising a raft of new policies “to make Poland stronger and secure.”
The ruling conservatives in 2019 won a convincing victory over opposition parties at the ballot box, securing a second term in power.
They maintained a majority in the 460-seat lower house, but narrowly lost control of the 100-seat upper house, the Senate.
The next general election is scheduled for this autumn. The exact date will be set by President Andrzej Duda, with October 15 the earliest constitutionally possible date, according to news outlets.
As it stands, the Polish opposition appears to be set to enter the parliamentary election race divided into three separate blocs.
In February, Poland’s four main opposition parties, including Poland 2050 and the PSL, agreed to join forces in the race for the Senate.
The upper house is less powerful than the lower chamber, but it can delay or amend legislation. The Sejm, the lower house, needs to muster an absolute majority to override Senate amendments.
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Source: PAP