Law and Justice, led by Jarosław Kaczyński, once defined the Polish right but now faces record-low support following the 2023 victory of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The party’s attempt to maintain a broad appeal has left a vacuum for more radical voices. Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki recently launched his own faction, Development Plus, further splintering the conservative base. Meanwhile, the Confederation party and the Confederation of the Polish Crown are gaining momentum by positioning themselves as true outsiders, openly questioning Poland’s membership in the bloc.
Poland's fractured right wing faces a reckoning over the EU
Poland’s right-wing political landscape is fracturing as four distinct parties compete for dominance ahead of the 2027 elections. While European populist movements often coalesce around shared nationalist agendas, Polish conservatives remain locked in a volatile internal struggle over how aggressively to challenge the European Union’s authority.
This fragmentation creates a strategic dilemma. While the combined polling numbers of these right-leaning parties suggest they could challenge the current ruling coalition, their internal divisions—specifically regarding the EU—threaten their electability. The spectrum ranges from those seeking to critique specific Brussels policies to fringe figures like Grzegorz Braun, who explicitly advocates for Polexit. Political scientist Spasimir Domaradzki notes that voters are currently caught between an established mainstream they distrust and radical insurgents they fear. As the 2027 vote approaches, the right must decide whether to moderate its rhetoric to remain viable or lean into anti-EU sentiment that risks alienating the 77% of Poles who still support the union.
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