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Two New Political Forces Emerge

October 26, the creation of Nowa Polska (New Poland) was announced by its leader Wadim Tyszkiewicz, while a day earlier, the Koalicja Obywatelska (Civic Coalition) was officially formed.

Civic Coalition emerged from the merger of the now-defunct Platforma Obywatelska (Civic Platform), Nowoczesna (Modern), and Inicjatywa Polska (Polish Initiative). Notably, the Green Party, which also participated in the formation, decided not to join the merger.

“From today, we call ourselves Civic Coalition because we’ve already won elections as KO and we will win the next ones,” announced former coalition leader and former Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the unification convention on Saturday, October 25. He emphasized that the party’s logo will remain the white-and-red heart.

Tusk stressed that “Poland will remain safe and a desired partner as long as we govern and defeat those who want to destroy it.”

He also added, “I do not want to witness again how great causes fall apart because of small flaws,” praising Barbara Nowacka of Inicjatywa Polska and Adam Szłapka from Nowoczesna. “We need to find the good that unites us to defend Poland against those who want to divide us. Let’s stand against evil. Let’s not be intimidated. Let’s not allow Poland to be swept again by lies, contempt, and hatred.” He concluded by saying that “Poles, if they have freedom, are ready and capable of achieving great things.”

Politics as Daily Practice

Tusk emphasized that “politics is not romantic idealism but the practice of daily life, sometimes a daily struggle,” noting that “good people must be united.” He warned that if the ruling party PiS regained power, border fortifications, drone barriers, hundreds of cameras, and thousands of soldiers and border guards could be deployed on Poland’s borders. “For them, the main enemies are the European Union, Germany, and France,” Tusk remarked during the convention.

Nowoczesna has formally ceased operations, and Inicjatywa Polska is set to dissolve in November. The process of electing the leadership of the new Civic Coalition is expected to conclude by mid-January, with official elections likely held at the symbolic Hala Olivia in Gdańsk.

New Poland: A New Political Center

The newly formed Nowa Polska aims to position itself at the center of Poland’s political spectrum. Its leader, Wadim Tyszkiewicz, emphasized that the party’s main pillars will be the economy, local government, and internal and external security. The party held its inaugural convention on Sunday, October 26, in Poznań.

“We want to further develop our country because we are indeed living in a golden age. Poland is growing, but not all Poles feel it. To truly move forward, we need a fresh start, also in local government. After 36 years of functioning territorial administration, it’s time for a new opening, a new reform, a New Poland,” Tyszkiewicz said during a press conference.

Experience at the Core

Tyszkiewicz stressed that the party’s program sets it apart from other political forces. “We differ because we start from a huge foundation. The people building New Poland are experienced in business and local government. We start with this immense experience; it’s our foundation.”

He added, “I want to emphasize a key point: our program is constantly being developed, and our team of experts in various fields is continuously working on it.”

Among the key figures joining Nowa Polska are Senators Zygmunt Frankiewicz and Andrzej Dziuba, as well as local government leaders such as Arkadiusz Wiśniewski, Mayor of Opole; Piotr Krzystek, Mayor of Szczecin; Marek Materek, Mayor of Starachowice; Marta Majewska, Mayor of Hrubieszów; Gabriela Staszkiewicz, Mayor of Cieszyn; Tadeusz Czajka, Mayor of Tarnowo Podgórne; and Andrzej Abako, Starosta of Olsztyn.

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