Laskowa village turns to plum festival as PiS faces internal split

Laskowa, a small settlement in the Beskid Wyspowy region, has long been a stronghold of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party, delivering over 80% support in the 2019 parliamentary election. Recent tensions within the ruling coalition – sparked by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s creation of the Rozwój Plus association and a new parliamentary club that attracted former PiS MPs – have drawn attention to the village’s political landscape.

Despite the national headlines, residents say daily life and the upcoming Plum, Honey and Cheese Festival dominate their concerns. Local interviewee Witold summed up the sentiment: “Jak nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o władzę i pieniądze.” Another resident, Marta, expressed disappointment with both PiS and Morawiecki, adding, “Ani na PiS, ani na Morawieckiego. Jestem rozczarowana… teraz zagłosowałabym na Konfederację.” The festival, celebrating traditional plum drying and regional cuisine, remains the focal point for the community, highlighting a preference for cultural continuity over political disputes.