Opposition political parties lick their wounds following disappointing results in the European elections and some voice criticism of current leaders.

The Polish left needs a new, charismatic, leader, says Ryszard Kalisz from the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD). Earlier, the newly elected  conservative Law and Justice’s (PiS) MEP Zbigniew Ziobro suggested that those responsible for communications and PR in his party should think about their performance, or maybe even leave.

Criticism has been hurled at Law and Justice’s election campaign, which resulted in the party trailing Civic Platform badly in the polls and making little headway from the general election campaign two years before.

Criticism has intensified of the Law and Justice leadership as well. Zbigniew Ziobro, former justice minister, has become a favourite within the party, as he collected more than 330,000 votes in his constituency, one sixth of all the party’s votes in the European elections. A day after, he said that “maybe people responsible for the communication in PiS, should think about their job, or maybe they should leave.” His words have begun a wave of criticism both from current and former PiS members.  

Leader of Law and Justice, Jaroslaw Kaczynski (right) said that Ziobro should focus learning English now that he is a member of the European Parliament, instead of criticizing the party’s electoral campaign. Last Wednesday, however, Ziobro and Kaczynski held a press conference together, trying to prove that everything is all right and the two politicians remain united. 

Nevertheless doubts about the condition of the PiS leader ship arose once again, when the tabloid Fakt revealed details of a meeting between Zbigniew Ziobro and former deputy leader of the party, Ludwik Dorn, now a prominent critic of Kaczynski. 

Other Law and Justice members assure media that they remain loyal to Kaczynski, as they can not imagine anyone else as party leader. However, Dorn and other former PiS politicians claim that Law and Justice lost a third election in a row with the current leadership, and it will not put up with a fourth failure. 

Two left feet?

It was thought that tensions within the leftwing SLD had eased, somewhat, after former leader Wojciech Olejniczak won a seat in the European Parliament in the elections of June 7. But the man who took over as SLD leader, Grzegorz Napieralski - after a dismal performance in the general elections of 2007 - should not feel safe. Today, influential left wing MP Ryszard Kalisz publicly declared that he did not like the way party is ruled. 

“I think that [Grzegorz [Napieralski] suffers from a lack of leadership and public relations skills. The left really needs a charismatic leader today,” Kalisz told Radio Zet today. 

Kalisz added that, however, he is not interested in playing a more important role in the party, as he “has a lot of jobs right now,” but he promised to watch the development in SLD closely. 

A completely different atmosphere prevails in the Civic Platform. In the euro election Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s party confirmed its supremacy on the political scene and now can prepare for the next battles – next year’s presidential and regional elections.

Deputy PM Grzegorz Schetyna declared that “it may be hard to imagine, but it is possible,” that Civic Platform’s probable presidential candidate – the current prime minister, Donald Tusk – could became a president and stay the Civic Platform leader at the same time. 

Opposition called his words unconstitutional, claiming it is against the article saying: “The President of the Republic shall hold no other offices nor discharge any public functions with the exception of those connected with the duties of his office.” (jg/pg)