Jarosław Kaczyński revealed PiS considered Zbigniew Bogucki for prime minister but ultimately chose Przemysław Czarnek, citing concerns about losing voters to Konfederacja.
Czarnek Selected as Leading Candidate
In early March, PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński announced that Przemysław Czarnek, a former education minister and current MP, would be the party’s candidate for prime minister in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Reports indicated that Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the President’s Office, was also a potential candidate.
Reasons for Bogucki’s Exclusion
Kaczyński emphasized that Czarnek was the clear choice, but confirmed Bogucki was considered. However, this was contingent on Bogucki remaining head of the KPRP (Constitutional Court).
Kaczyński explained that a clear understanding was needed – Bogucki’s candidacy had to be unequivocally supported by President Nawrocki. Negotiations on this point ultimately failed.
Divergent Views with President Nawrocki
Kaczyński noted that allies don’t always agree on every issue. He stated that while President Nawrocki might prefer a more complex path, PiS aimed for a government stemming from its own party or political camp, allowing for greater influence.
Discussions about this approach occurred when PiS endorsed Nawrocki in the presidential elections, with Kaczyński believing the President would favor a direct route.
Morawiecki’s Aspirations and Right-Wing Appeal
Kaczyński acknowledged that Mateusz Morawiecki, a PiS vice-president, naturally desired to return to the position of prime minister. While recognizing Morawiecki’s merits, Kaczyński argued he lacks popularity among PiS’s core right-wing electorate.
Morawiecki’s candidacy was deemed “unacceptable” to the right-wing base and therefore “unrealistic.”
Loss of Voters to Konfederacja
Kaczyński admitted that PiS has been losing voters to Konfederacja. He explained that during the presidential elections, a segment of right-wing voters didn’t fully associate PiS with the President.
This disconnect led to a decline in PiS’s poll numbers, prompting a change in strategy to address the issue.
Morawiecki’s Future Role
Following Czarnek’s nomination, Morawiecki pledged his support. When asked about potentially serving as a deputy prime minister, he responded noncommittally. Kaczyński indicated that if PiS wins the elections and Morawiecki acts rationally, he would oversee economic affairs in Czarnek’s government.