Polish politicians Marek Woch and Grzegorz Braun announced a joint Senate campaign at a conference near the Sejm on Monday, building a “key‑extinguisher” alliance aimed at regaining independence.
Woch and Braun Target Senate: “We Seek Power”
Marek Woch, leader of the All‑Nation Federation of Non‑Partisan Local Self‑Governments, declared at the Monday conference that he and Grzegorz Braun would run together for the Senate. Woch, who has a background as a hydraulic engineer and a doctor of law, highlighted a symbolic act during the rally: he brought a French‑style key and an extinguisher to complete his personal kit, commenting that the latter “was missing from my bag.”
Will the Alliance Stay Senate‑Only? Consolidation of Cooperation
Woch said the agreement “concerns a joint candidacy for the Senate. We have speculated about the cooperation of the two circles for a long time. The leader of the Non‑Partisan group attended the recently organized Braun‑Centennial Rally.” He added that the alliance could extend to the Sejm if the parties deemed it necessary, but that municipal elections remained a priority.
Widespread Front: Election Performance Overview
In the presidential elections, Woch received over 18,000 votes and finished last; Mażrowściinsky Maciej Maciak earned a better result. In the 2023 parliamentary elections, Woch’s group received roughly 1.5 million votes (400,000 toward the Sejm and more than a million for the Senate). Braun placed fourth with 6.34 percent of the vote, while 1 million 242 000 people voted for the top Crown leader.
Braun’s Evening Election Statement on the Future Goal
During the election evening, Braun outlined a clear objective: “Not only the Confederation of the Polish Crown… the wide extinguisher front must bring a strong representation of the Polish right into the next parliament. This right must be truly anti‑systematic, not drifting toward the centre.” He cited polling data showing the Crown group at 9.4 percent in the latest CBOS survey, and noted a surge in membership following the presidential run.
I Like the Slogan
When asked if his circle was becoming part of the “key‑extinguisher front,” Woch replied, “Some would like to push the Non‑Partisans into the Crown. If I wanted to be in the Crown, I would join it. Someone called our deal the key‑extinguisher front. I like that slogan.”
What About Korwin‑Mikke? “We Fight the Same Cause”
The Monday conference also mentioned former MP Janusz Korwin‑Mikke, who had run for the European Parliament on the Non‑Partisan list. Braun said Korwin‑Mikke “returned with a broad extinguisher front.” Korwin‑Mikke has denied that he or Braun proposed a coalition named KoBra; he now heads KORWiN and has formed the Confederation (KonFed) and the Radical Right (Prawica‑R). He stated that while both groups are far‑right and share goals, whether they will run together in the parliamentary elections remains to be seen.