Kazimierz Smolinski, the fresh head of the Law and Justice in Gdańsk

wbijamszpile.pl 7 months ago

PiS in Gdańsk has chosen a fresh leader of local structures, to whom Mr Kazimierz Smolinski was appointed. Despite erstwhile speculations, neither Jacek Kurski nor Kacper Plażyński competed in the election due to the fact that they did not have the advice of president Jarosław Kaczyński. In the article we bring the election scenes and the main tasks of the fresh leader of the Law and Justice in the coming months.

Elections full of speculation and ‘only candidate’

Elections for Head of Law and Justice in Gdańsk were held on 9 November, in the historical OSH of Gdańsk Shipyard, with the participation of about 200 delegates. The full event was closed, without media presence. Even before the elections there were many speculations about possible candidates who would have the support of Jarosław Kaczyński. Among the names considered were Jacek Kurski, formerly president of TVP, and MP Kacper Plażyński. However, no of them managed to get the required recommendation, which excluded them from the election.

As a result, the only candidate was Kazimierz Smolinski, a longtime MP and experienced PiS politician. Although formally he was the only candidate, according to the party's statutes he had to win over 50% of the vote to take the position. The obtained support led Smolinski to lead the Pomeranian organization structures in a hard period before the upcoming presidential election.

Who is Kazimierz Smolinski?

Kazimierz Smolinski, a 69-year-old lawyer and experienced MP, has been active in the Sejm since his 5 term. Although in Gdańsk, PiS itself remains in opposition to the strong background of the Civic Platform, Smolinski is gaining popularity in regions with conservative views specified as Kociewie and Kaszuba. The politician himself admits that the situation of the PiS in Gdańsk is demanding, but believes that the structures of the organization in Pomerania will be strengthened in the coming months.

In the interview, Smolinski admitted that the key nonsubjective is now to prepare local structures for the next year's presidential election. The fresh leader intends to focus on mobilising the electorate and improving the interior activities of the parties in order to be able to compete effectively in the elections.

Political challenges for the PiS in Pomerania

For the PiS in Pomerania, the next fewer months will be crucial. Gdańsk, a stronghold of the Civic Platform for years, is simply a major political challenge and the fresh leader of local structures will gotta face both interior and external difficulties. As Smolinski himself pointed out, in regions specified as Kociewie, the support for the Law and Justice Office reaches up to 60%, but in larger cities, including Gdansk, the situation remains more difficult.

The organization in Gdańsk aims to rebuild its position before the May presidential election, hoping to increase the support and mobilisation of the electorate. Smolinski sees the request for changes in regional structures to respond more effectively to the challenges of the electoral campaign. His actions will be observed not only by the local political environment, but besides by the national authorities of the Law and Justice Office.