Polish politician Ryszard Petru has announced his candidacy for president of the centrist Poland 2050 party, igniting internal debate and factional support ahead of mid‑January leadership elections.
Petru Declares Candidacy
On Wednesday morning, Petru posted on X that he was applying for the chair of Poland 2050. “I have decided to run for the leadership of the party,” he wrote, pledging to recapture voters who supported the party in 2023. “I believe in returning to our roots: entrepreneurship, a balanced energy transition, and targeted social policy that solves real people’s problems.”
Pełczyńska‑Nałęcz’s Media‑Driven Opposition
Petru praised the style of Minister of Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska‑Nałęcz, noting that although the minister had yet to declare running, the party was determined to be a contender. He highlighted her assertive yet conciliatory approach within the coalition, stressing the need for internal compromise rather than media‑driven disputes. He added that voters would not forgive confrontational tactics or alignment with the government’s positions.
Internal Party Mobs and Voting
Pełczyńska‑Nałęcz, while not an MP, frequently used media and social platforms to distance herself from the government, irking Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other coalition politicians. Her critics within the party prefer a less confrontational model and emphasize communication of achievements such as the creation of the Lower Oder Valley National Park. The party’s leadership elections, set for mid‑January, saw a tight vote of 16 to 14 for Pełczyńska‑Nałęcz over Paulina Hennig‑Kloska on who the club should recommend for deputy prime minister.
Supporters and Delegates
Petru’s bid is backed by MP Norbert Pietrykowski and MP Żaneta Cwalina‑Śliwowska, both of whom cite his commitment to returning to entrepreneurship and a solid program. Deputy Finance Minister Jan Szyszko supports Pełczyńska‑Nałęcz, highlighting her vision of an autonomous Poland 2050 that emphasizes civic engagement and new national parks. The final decision on the party’s leader will rest with 2,000 activists in a public vote, a process Petru aims to persuade with his appeal to grassroots expectations.
