Internal divisions within Poland’s Law and Justice party

Internal divisions have emerged within Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party, characterized by criticism from local officials.

Initial reports indicated a split among party members, with Łomża mayor Mariusz Chrzanowski describing the situation as “negative” during a radio interview. This internal friction was highlighted by various local politicians during regional programming.

Following these reports, Krzysztof Żochowski, a member of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Sejmik and director of a healthcare facility in Garwolin, announced his resignation from the party. Żochowski cited local grievances regarding election lists and governance, alongside national concerns. He described a sense of “programmatic burnout” and criticized the party’s internal atmosphere, stating that PiS is no longer the same organization he originally joined.

In a social media statement, Żochowski detailed specific local grievances, including the actions of MP Grzegorz Woźniak regarding election lists for the Garwolin County Council and the governance of County Starost Iwona Kurowska. He noted that his previous protests regarding these matters received no effective response from party leadership. On a national level, he cited a perceived lack of programmatic substance, an inability to address modern challenges, and an atmosphere of constant internal conflict. He concluded that a party unable to manage the “unacceptable actions of its officials” loses its legitimacy to seek power.