PiS leader Kaczyński has chosen a candidate for prime minister as party spokesman Bochenek confirms a March presentation timeline.
Kaczyński’s Selection Process
Party leader Kaczyński announced several days ago on Radio Maryja that he has chosen a candidate for prime minister. “I don’t hide that I’ve already made my choice in my own head – or as one might say, in my heart, in pectore,” said Kaczyński, who wants to present the candidate to a large party gathering, sparking speculation about who might be the chosen one.
Within PiS, three names immediately emerged on the party circuit: European Parliament member Tobiasz Bocheński, former education minister Przemysław Czarnek, and head of the Presidential Chancellery Zbigniew Bogucki. The latter was the clear favorite in internal speculation, as he is a new face not burdened by PiS governance, has risen as a star in President Karol Nawrocki’s inner circle, and would be acceptable to all party factions.
Bogucki’s Rise and Setback
“I don’t see anyone better than Zbyszek,” said one of the MPs to us recently regarding Bogucki. On Friday in the Sejm, a funny situation occurred when Bogucki, as head of the Presidential Chancellery, attempted to speak during voting. As he approached the podium, applause broke out in the chamber. Some MPs chanted: “Zbyszek, Zbyszek!”
“You will be prime minister, minister,” joked Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty. “Thank you for that prophecy, it’s enough for me that the prime minister will be from the right, from Law and Justice,” replied Bogucki.
The Czarnk-Bocheński Dilemma
However, there is one problem with his candidacy – President Karol Nawrocki does not agree to it, as he needs Bogucki in the Presidential Chancellery. This leaves the names of Czarnk and Bocheński. According to recent media reports (including TVN24 and Newsweek), President Kaczyński had abandoned the concept with the latter to avoid escalating tensions in PiS, as Bocheński’s candidacy would be unacceptable to the environment of former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
“It would be very difficult for us to go to the media for a press conference and say that he is a good candidate,” admitted one of Morawiecki’s supporters in a conversation with Gazeta.pl.
Bocheński’s Resurgence
However, on Friday we heard that name again – one of the most important politicians of Law and Justice mentioned it in an unofficial conversation with us. “In my opinion, it will be Bocheński, I don’t see any other person,” emphasized our interlocutor.
Regional Leaders Unlikely
Although media speculation has recently suggested that the candidate might be one of the PiS-connected local officials, such as the presidents of Stalowa Wola Lucjusz Nadbereżny, Chełm Jakub Banaszek, or Otwock Jarosław Margielski, few in the party believe such a choice would be made by PiS president. “A candidate for prime minister should have some position and authority in the party, and they don’t have it,” convinced one MP in a conversation with Gazeta.pl, who at the same time admitted to being a supporter of the “anointment” of Zbigniew Bogucki.
