Poland’s former Prime Minister Donald Tusk will launch a new political party on Saturday, dissolving the Civic Platform and merging it with Modern and Polish Initiative, setting the stage for future leadership contests.
Civic Platform Dissolves
On Saturday, after nearly 25 years, Civic Platform will cease operations, replaced by a new formation created from the merger of Civic Platform, Modern, and Polish Initiative. The new party is expected to be called Civic Coalition, though rumours persist about a different name. Parties that jointly built KO since 2018 will now merge into one group, erasing their former flags, including PO’s “Polish Smile.”
Formal Setup of the New Party
Formally, Civic Platform will become the new party due to a statute change, while Polish Initiative and Modern will terminate. Modern already did so on Friday 24 Oct, Polish Initiative on 15 Nov. Their former members can join the new formation and participate in choosing its leaders.
Saturday Convention Keynote Speakers
The convention will commence noon at Warsaw’s ATM Studio. Speakers include Donald Tusk, leader of Modern; government spokesman Adam Szlapka; and Barbara Nowacka, head of Polish Initiative. After speeches, a closed session will address organizational issues, including the statute change.
Leadership Prospects
Leadership elections for the new party are expected early next year after court approval of statutory changes. Positions will include regional boards and central leadership; Donald Tusk will head, with deputies Adam Szlapka and Barbara Nowacka. The presidency of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, will serve as a vice‑chair, and Radosław Sikorski (Prime Minister) and finance minister Andrzej Domański may also gain senior roles. Tusk intends to reward them, noting Domański’s promotion is logical as a highly regarded minister who is well‑liked in the party.
General Secretary Question
The appointment of the party’s general secretary remains open. It may be Marcin Kierwiński, head of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, though some argue that managing a major ministry and the party is incompatible. Others expect Kierwiński to keep the role, possibly with deputies. Sikorski may influence the choice, with supporters Marcin Bosacki of the Ministry of State Assets and Joanna Kluzik‑Rostkowska. The final decision lies with Tusk.
