Michał Szułdrzyński: Kaczyński's candidate for prime minister will not save the party this time. Rather, it will deepen its crisis
Michał Szułdrzyński argues that Jarosław Kaczyński's choice for prime minister will likely not lead to a revival for the ruling party but rather exacerbate its existing issues.
In a critical analysis, Michał Szułdrzyński reflects on the Polish political landscape and the challenges facing the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS). He notes that while party members are optimistic that Jarosław Kaczyński's recent decision will lead to a quick return to power, the current context is markedly different from previous successful strategies used by the party. The present situation resembles the political climate of 2014 differently, raising questions about whether past successes can be replicated. Kaczyński's earlier decisions, such as the endorsement of Andrzej Duda as a presidential candidate, have historically yielded positive outcomes for PiS, leading to significant election successes.
However, Szułdrzyński emphasizes that the political dynamics have shifted since then. Today's PiS is facing significant internal and external pressures that threaten its viability. The party's previous strategies, which relied on a strong, strategic candidate to rally support and capitalise on public sentiment, seem increasingly unlikely to yield the same results in the current environment marked by heightened public scrutiny and competition from opposition parties eager to capitalize on PiS's weaknesses. The optimism around the current candidate for prime minister is viewed through a lens of skepticism given the contrasting political, economic, and social climate.
As the election cycle approaches, the implications of Kaczyński's decision could affect not only PiS's immediate fortunes but could also shape the greater political landscape in Poland. Szułdrzyński warns that relying on past success might result in deeper crises for the party unless they address the growing dissent and adapt their strategies to the evolving political realities. The choice of a prime ministerial candidate must resonate with the current electorate's concerns; otherwise, it may lead to further marginalization of PiS, rather than its anticipated resurgence.