POLAND

Party: Law and Justice (PiS)

Leader: Jarosław Kaczyński

Type leader: Kaczyński is a devout Catholic and was considered an autocrat by critics when he was in power. Opponents pointed to policies that weakened Poland’s rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and his clampdowns on the press and free speech, as clear evidence of his authoritarianism. His Catholicism influences his arch-conservative views on social issues. He has been very outspoken against LGTBQIA+ rights, abortion and gender equality, and his rhetoric is viewed as extremely homophobic by Polish gay groups. His opposition to EU policies on migration and democratic standards have been denounced by European democratic leaders.

% National Vote: In 2019, PiS wont 43.6% of the popular vote, giving it enough to rule by majority. However, in the most recent legislative elections in October 2023, PiS won only 35% of the vote, and opposition parties ousted PiS and formed a governing coalition led by Former Prime Minister Donald Tusk of the center/center-right Civic Platform party. (Tusk is also a former President of the European Council.)

Position in Government: From 2015 to 2023, PiS was the ruling party and held the Polish presidency, prime ministership, and a majority in the parliament. PiS currently holds no key government positions and is being investigated by the ruling coalition for alleged abuses of power during its administration.  

Platform: PiS is known for its illiberal and nationalist agenda, including attempts to gain total control of the judiciary and weaken freedom of expression, as well as rhetoric around traditional values, social welfare, Euroscepticism, and national sovereignty. 

European Parliament: With 36% of the vote, PiS won a close second the 2024 European legislative elections and joined the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists coalition (ECR) (i.e., with Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy).