On election night, the ultra-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party managed to win back its former bastion in Siedlce, a city of about 77,000 inhabitants located 100 kilometers east of Warsaw. Despite being close to the liberal capital, Siedlce seemed like PiS’s only chance to achieve a medium-sized city. Meanwhile, the center-right party of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, known as Civic Coalition (KO), consolidated its power in the municipal elections.
Tusk celebrated victories in major cities like Warsaw, Gdansk, Krakow, Wrocław, and Rzeszów. The KO candidates or independents supported by the party emerged victorious in these cities, demonstrating the party’s strength in urban areas. In Siedlce, however, the final duel was between Andrzej Sitnik, an independent supported by KO, and Tomasz Hapunowicz, the PiS candidate. Despite lower voter turnout compared to previous elections, PiS remains a significant force in Polish politics with a loyal and disciplined voter base.
The political landscape in Poland continues to be dynamic with both PiS and KO demonstrating their strengths in different regions and cities. Looking ahead to the European elections in June, both parties will face new challenges and opportunities as they seek to further solidify their positions in the country’s political landscape. The ongoing political dynamics in Poland reflect how PiS faces challenges in urban areas but continues to have a strong base of support.
Overall, despite being close to Warsaw’s liberal capital city limits
