Jarosław Kaczyński may prioritize neutralizing Grzegorz Braun over power

Political scientist Professor Sławomir Sowiński suggests that Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, may prioritize neutralizing the political influence of Grzegorz Braun over securing immediate electoral victory.

Sowiński notes that Braun’s rise is fueled by anti-elitist populism, exacerbated by fatigue regarding the war in Ukraine and public distrust in science following COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Because Braun draws from the most radical segments of the PiS electorate, Sowiński argues that PiS is attempting to adapt its own political language and candidate selection to compete for these voters.

As an example of this strategy, Sowiński points to Kaczyński’s preference for the more radical Przemysław Czarnka over Mateusz Morawiecki, suggesting the party is trying to create a political space that can accommodate Braun’s supporters.