Poland's main opposition splits: Kaczynski expels Morawiecki and supporters

A major crisis has erupted within Poland's main opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS). Party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski announced on Friday that more than 30 delegates supporting former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki have effectively forfeited their membership. Kaczynski accuses Morawiecki and his followers of attempting to split the party. "We couldn't accept that," Kaczynski said. The rebels, however, claim they were expelled, not resigned.

A three-hour "last chance" talk between Kaczynski and Morawiecki ended without results on Thursday. Kaczynski had issued an ultimatum: by midnight, Morawiecki's supporters were to sign a written loyalty pledge to cease activities in Morawiecki's association "Development Plus" (Rozwój Plus). Morawiecki refused, saying he would not sign anything reminiscent of demands from the 1980s.

The split comes as PiS faces growing pressure from far-right parties, such as the Confederation Liberty and Independence (KWIN) and the Confederation of the Polish Crown (KKP). Together, these parties enjoy more support in polls than PiS alone. In response to losing voters, Kaczynski has pushed PiS further right. In March, he nominated ultraconservative and ultra-Catholic Przemyslaw Czarnek as the party's lead candidate for the 2027 parliamentary election. Czarnek has called for halting military aid to Ukraine.

Morawiecki, meanwhile, launched the political association Development Plus and plans a policy event in late July with 1,000 guests. He insists he remains in PiS, aiming to open the party to new voters. However, polls show his personal support at only 6.2%, while PiS support has dropped to 17.7%, down from 35% in 2023.

The ruling coalition under Prime Minister Donald Tusk is watching PiS's troubles with amusement. Political scientist Danuta Plecka suggests the conflict might be staged to allow cooperation after the elections.