| Result | Hung parliament, no single party majority |
| Election | 2023 Polish general election |
| Largest party | Law and Justice (PiS) |
| Key challenges | Reconciling competing ideological visions • Navigating Poland's relationships with the European Union and global powers |
| Opposition gains | Civic Coalition |
| Government formed | Diverse multiparty coalition |
The 2023 Polish general election, held on October 15th, resulted in a hung parliament with no single party winning an outright majority. This outcome represented a significant shift from the previous several elections, which had been dominated by the conservative-nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party.
PiS had governed Poland since 2015, pursuing an agenda of Euroscepticism, social conservatism, and a crackdown on judicial independence that brought it into conflict with the European Union. However, the party had also invested heavily in popular social welfare programs that boosted its support, particularly among older and working-class voters.
In the run-up to 2023, PiS moderated some of its more controversial positions, seeking to broaden its appeal. Meanwhile, the main opposition Civic Platform (PO) party rebranded as the Civic Coalition (KO), positioning itself as a centrist, pro-EU alternative. KO was led by the charismatic former mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski.
Other parties in the running included the agrarian Polish People's Party (PSL), the left-wing Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), and the far-right Confederation (Konfederacja) coalition.
The 2023 election was a closely fought contest, with PiS and KO running neck-and-neck in the polls for much of the campaign. Key issues included the economy, the environment, and Poland's relationship with the EU. PiS promised to maintain its popular social welfare programs, while KO called for greater investment in green energy and a more conciliatory approach to Brussels.
When the votes were tallied, PiS emerged as the largest party with 38% of the vote, giving it 185 seats in the 460-seat Sejm (lower house of parliament). KO came in second with 32% and 155 seats, a significant increase from its 2019 performance. PSL, SLD, and Konfederacja won the remaining 120 seats between them.
With no single party commanding a majority, protracted coalition talks ensued. PiS initially sought to form a government with the smaller right-wing parties, but it became clear they lacked the numbers. After weeks of negotiations, a broad center-left coalition was announced, comprising KO, PSL, and SLD. Trzaskowski was named as Prime Minister, leading a Cabinet that included ministers from across the political spectrum.
The new coalition government faces the challenge of reconciling the disparate policy platforms of its component parties. However, all sides have signaled a willingness to seek pragmatic compromises. Key priorities include:
While ideological divisions remain, the multiparty nature of the coalition is seen by many as a positive step towards greater political pluralism in Poland. The government's ability to cooperate and find common ground will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
