Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Poland’s ruling party, has reportedly selected his preferred candidate for prime minister, unofficially identified as former Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek.
Kaczyński’s Selection Criteria
Jarosław Kaczyński has chosen PiS’s candidate for prime minister. According to Kaczyński, the candidate must be someone who can help win elections and serve as an “election locomotive,” while also being well-prepared for the role of prime minister.
The PiS leader stated on Radio Maryja that he has already made an informal choice in his heart but wants to present it to a large party gathering before proceeding with formal procedures.
Potential Candidates
According to Gazeta.pl journalist Marta Rawicz, potential candidates include PiS MEP Tobiasz Bocheński, head of the Presidential Chancellery Zbigniew Bogucki, and former Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek. A PiS politician noted that the choice is based on research and requires an expressive person acceptable to the electorate who can improve PiS ratings ahead of elections.
The name is expected to be officially announced in March.
Unofficial Favorite
“Super Express” unofficially reported that Kaczyński’s choice has fallen on Przemysław Czarnek. The newspaper described him as a politician with distinctive views capable of mobilizing the conservative party electorate and competing for votes on the right side of the political scene.
Czarnek, 49, holds a habilitation doctorate in legal sciences. He served as Lublin voivode from 2015-2019, has been a PiS MP since 2019, was Education Minister from 2020-2023, and has been Vice President of Law and Justice since last year.
Czarnek’s Position
When asked about becoming prime minister, Czarnek stated he cannot rule it out, though the probability depends on the political situation this autumn, next spring, and in 2027, particularly if the current coalition lasts through a full four-year term.
“There are many unknowns,” Czarnek said in an October interview on RMF FM.
