Law and Justice Party Splinters as 30+ MPs Leave Over Leadership Power Struggle
Poland's largest opposition party experiences its biggest rupture in years after former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and around 30 other MPs refuse loyalty declarations and exit Law and Justice, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of 2027 elections.
In a dramatic development on July 24, 2026, Law and Justice (PiS), Poland's largest opposition party, announced the departure of approximately 30-35 MPs following a months-long internal power struggle. Following a months-long power struggle, more than 30 MPs – including former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki – are set to be expelled from the Law and Justice party, in the biggest rupture seen on the Polish right in many years.
On early Friday afternoon, PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski announced that "around 30-something" of the party's 186 MPs had effectively chosen to leave after refusing to sign declarations of loyalty. Morawiecki declared the beginning of "a new chapter in Poland's political history", and said his political circle now included 40 MPs (which stands at odds with Kaczynski's estimate), one senator and three members of the European Parliament, describing it as a "very strong representation".
Political Impact
- Law and Justice is Poland's largest opposition party and one of the country's two dominant political forces, alongside the governing Civic Coalition led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
- The split could sharply reduce PiS's chances of returning to power in next year's parliamentary election.
This fracture marks a turning point in Polish politics. The Morawiecki camp's departure weakens PiS ahead of the 2027 general election while potentially creating space for a new centrist political formation. For expats and foreign residents following Polish politics, this signals ongoing instability and realignment on the right—important context if you work in policy sectors, NGOs, or are interested in Poland's political direction over the next 18 months.
Sources
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