Senator Jacek Włosowicz was removed from the PiS Senate club following criticism of the party, with officials stating he has “chosen the path with Tusk.”
Senator Expelled for Aligning with Opposition
Stanisław Karczewski, Vice-President of the Senate, announced Włosowicz’s exclusion from the PiS Senate club on platform X. The decision stemmed from the senator’s public criticism of PiS policies, particularly in the media.
Karczewski stated that holding views fundamentally opposed to the party line leads to self-elimination, a process he observed over many months. He added that Włosowicz’s presence on their list was a mistake and that he had “chosen the path with Donald Tusk.”
Notification and Reaction
Following his statement, Karczewski informed Senate Speaker Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska of the changes to the PiS club, ensuring Włosowicz’s name would no longer appear among PiS senators.
Włosowicz confirmed receiving notification of his expulsion, though he learned of it first through the media. He intends to remain an unaffiliated senator, expressing surprise at the decision and a need for time to process it. He described the experience of hearing “no” after 25 years as unpleasant.
Future Plans Remain Undecided
Włosowicz stated he will decide on his future political course in the coming months, not ruling out another Senate run.
Support from Opposition Coalitions
Several factions within the October 15th Coalition have expressed warm words of support for Włosowicz. Senators from Centrum, who left Polska 2050 in February, are open to collaboration. Senator Grzegorz Fedorowicz described Włosowicz as a “very reasonable, wise senator.”
Another senator from the Civic Coalition remarked that Włosowicz is a “decent guy,” adding that “every herd has a black sheep.”
Potential for “Senate Pact” Support
Sources indicate Włosowicz could receive support from the “Senate Pact” if he chooses to run for Senate again. This agreement, originally formed in 2019, involves forces comprising the current October 15th Coalition.
A KO politician suggested they might not field a competitor against Włosowicz in his district, or he could join the pact as a candidate.
Background of the “Senate Pact”
Senate elections are held in single-member districts, where the candidate with the most votes wins. Before the 2019 parliamentary elections, KO, PSL, and the Left reached an agreement to field joint candidates in most districts, leading to an opposition majority in the Senate despite PiS’s majority in the Sejm.
In 2023, Polska 2050 joined the “pact,” allowing the four groups, along with independent candidates, to secure 66 seats in the 100-member Senate.
Włosowicz’s Political History
Jacek Włosowicz is not currently a member of PiS, but previously held a seat in the PiS Senate club. He was a member of Jarosław Kaczyński’s party from 2002 to 2011, then joined Solidarna Polska, founded by Zbigniew Ziobro after leaving PiS. He was expelled from SP in 2022.
Recent Political Actions
In February, Włosowicz was the sole member of his club to vote in favor of a law implementing the EU’s SAFE defense program. He also criticized PiS in a TVN24 interview on Tuesday, stating the party is becoming “nationalistic.”
