The latest CBOS poll indicates a record decline in support for Law and Justice, which has fallen below 20 percent. Meanwhile, in Hungary, the Fidesz party faces an unprecedented challenge from the TISZA party, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is using rhetoric of fear about war in his election campaign. Simultaneously, research in the USA shows a historic shift in American public sentiment regarding the conflict in the Middle East.

Historic Decline in Support for PiS

Jarosław Kaczyński's party recorded a result below 20% in the CBOS survey, which is the worst result for the party in many years.

Threat to Orbán's Power

Polls in Hungary indicate a minimal difference between the ruling Fidesz and the opposition TISZA party ahead of the upcoming elections.

American Shift Towards Palestine

Latest data from the USA shows a sharp increase in empathy towards Palestinians, which could influence Washington's foreign policy.

The end of February 2026 brings fundamental reshuffles on the political scene of Central Europe. In Poland, the CBOS poll resonated most strongly, in which Law and Justice recorded its weakest result in years, falling below the 20% support threshold. The situation of Jarosław Kaczyński's party is complicated by the growing strength of the Confederation, which in some rankings is becoming a real alternative for the right-wing electorate. At the same time, Poles have harshly assessed the performance of parliament and President Karol Nawrocki, signaling growing public fatigue with the current balance of power. Public attention is simultaneously focused on Hungary, where the approaching parliamentary elections could bring an end to the Viktor Orbán era. The Hungarian opposition, led by Péter Magyar and his TISZA party, is neck and neck with the ruling camp. Orbán has based his election strategy on stoking fear about the expansion of the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting that only his victory will guarantee security for Hungarians. The situation is further complicated by moral scandals within Fidesz and the withdrawal of smaller opposition parties aiming to consolidate votes against the Prime Minister. Polish-Hungarian relations, once based on close cooperation within the Visegrad Group, have cooled significantly after 2022 due to divergent approaches to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Significant changes are also occurring in American public opinion. For the first time in the history of Gallup Institute surveys, American sympathy for Palestinians has matched or, in some groups, surpassed support for Israel. This is a consequence of the prolonged conflict in the Gaza Strip, which is polarizing American society ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Even within the Democratic electorate, a radical shift in attitudes is visible, forcing the Washington administration to revise its previous policy of unconditional support for Tel Aviv. „Nie wybrałem jeszcze nikogo na premiera, wszelkie spekulacje w tej sprawie są przedwczesne.” (I have not yet chosen anyone for prime minister, all speculation on this matter is premature.) — Jarosław Kaczyński

Mentioned People

  • Jarosław Kaczyński — Chairman of Law and Justice, denying rumors about selecting a candidate for prime minister.
  • Viktor Orbán — Prime Minister of Hungary fighting to maintain power in the face of strong opposition competition.
  • Karol Nawrocki — President of Poland, whose performance was assessed in the latest CBOS poll.