PiS split deepens as Morawiecki defies party order on associations

The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party in Poland is facing internal turmoil as a recent resolution by its presidium mandates that members must resign from associations perceived as conducting political activities within the party structure. This directive primarily targets the "Rozwój Plus" association established by former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

PiS spokesperson Rafał Bochenek stated that failure to comply would trigger exclusion proceedings. In response to the resolution, Jacek Sasin, a prominent PiS politician, immediately dissolved his own association, "Po Pierwsze Polska." This association was reportedly formed in reaction to Morawiecki's group and comprises his political opponents within the party, often referred to as the "maślarze" faction.

Morawiecki, however, has declared he will not dissolve his association. A significant number of PiS parliamentarians, 45 in total, have signed a letter to party leader Jarosław Kaczyński in defense of Morawiecki's association. Sasin, when questioned about the escalating conflicts within PiS, acknowledged the difficult situation and expressed a desire for the party to move forward together, free from internal disputes. He suggested that emotions in politics can be detrimental and lead to poor decisions, appealing for unity.

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emocje w polityce raczej przeszkadzają, a nie pomagają i często prowadzą do podejmowania błędnych decyzji. Apeluję do wszystkich, aby z tych emocji zejść, ale przede wszystkim apeluję, by zachować jedność

Sasin characterized the July 23 deadline set by the PiS presidium for decisions regarding association membership as a crucial moment to cease divisive actions. He emphasized the clear choice presented: participation in associations, which he views as effectively separate political entities, or membership in PiS. Sasin dismissed Morawiecki's claims that his association aims to strengthen PiS, stating it's "obvious to anyone observing the political scene" that the former prime minister is building his own political group. Sasin asserted his reliance on actions rather than words, given his long political career, and criticized the model of factions within a single party seeking significant autonomy, likening it to a federation.

When asked why he founded his own association, Sasin admitted he did so reluctantly, viewing it as a consequence of an attempt to integrate Morawiecki's association into PiS's functioning. He expressed his disapproval of the current model, where internal factions operate with a high degree of independence, ultimately undermining party cohesion.

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Robiłem to z niechęcią, robiłem, ale się nie cieszyłem. Była to konsekwencja pewnej próby wpisania stowarzyszenia, które powołał pan premier Morawiecki w funkcjonowanie PiS