Jarosław Kaczyński is hospitalized for lung problems, absent from a PiS executive meeting, while his health status is minimized publicly.
PiS Meeting Without Kaczyński
The Thursday, January 29th meeting of the PiS Executive Committee was held in a narrower circle than usual and without Jarosław Kaczyński. Although the president rarely formally participates in such meetings, he is usually present at the party headquarters. This time, PiS politicians confirm that Kaczyński is in the hospital due to lung problems. He had previously struggled with infections and knee ailments. According to meeting participants, the tone was reassuring. “The president will soon return to work. He is sick, lying down, but working from his bed, taking calls,” one PiS politician told WP Virtual Poland. Others unofficially admit that the party decided to limit public communication about the leader’s health to a minimum.
Kaczyński’s Health Taboo
Clear irritation is visible within PiS regarding statements that deviate from the established line. Some activists were dissatisfied with MP Zbigniew Kuźmiuk’s public suggestion that the president’s hospitalization could indicate a more serious illness. “They’ve been trying to bury the president for a decade. And what? Nothing. So today, nobody is panicking. But it’s also not pretended that nothing is happening,” another PiS politician told WP. Meanwhile, politicians acknowledge that Kaczyński’s prolonged absence, possibly until March, could create factional tensions. However, the president himself has reportedly made it clear that any conflicts during his absence will have consequences.
Referendum in Kraków
One specific topic of the meeting was the attempt to recall Kraków Mayor Aleksander Miszalski from KO. Although the initiative is local, PiS sees political potential. The collection of signatures for the referendum is accelerating, and PiS spokesman Rafał Bochenek has already appeared in Kraków. However, the party does not plan full involvement from the central office; the emphasis is to remain on local actions.
Grzegorz Braun Under PiS Scrutiny
PiS politicians are also closely observing the program congress of Grzegorz Braun’s formation. The official strategy is simple: do not publicize the event and let the competition speak. “Let them talk,” summarizes one of the younger PiS MPs. The party holds the conviction that Braun’s initiative could end in discrediting itself, and PiS should not promote it additionally.
Kaczyński’s Hospitalization
Earlier, PiS spokesman Rafał Bochenek informed that Jarosław Kaczyński was hospitalized due to an infection and would remain so for several days. According to “Super Express,” Kaczyński might be struggling with pneumonia. Media report that the PiS president had already been suffering from a cold during weekend meetings in the Świętokrzyskie and Masovian voivodeships. In February of last year, Kaczyński was admitted to the cardiology department in Lublin for routine tests, where, as reported by hospital staff, he was admitted as a patient NN to limit interest in his hospitalization.