Kaczyński says Morawiecki wants to take over PiS, not be PM, as party split deepens
Jarosław Kaczyński disclosed on 24 July 2026 that former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki told him he aims to seize control of Law and Justice rather than return as head of government, a day after an ultimatum divided the party.
Ultimatum deadline reshapes the party
By midnight on 23 July 2026, MPs of the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) had to declare they belonged to no external association or face expulsion. The move targeted Mateusz Morawiecki's 'Rozwój Plus' grouping, which did not dissolve. A separate faction, nicknamed 'maślarze' and associated with Przemysław Czarnek and Jacek Sasin, complied immediately. Kaczyński told TV Republika on Friday evening that 'trzydziestu kilku' (over thirty) deputies resigned their memberships, a step the Political Committee will ratify on Tuesday (28 July).
A direct offer and a blunt reply
During the interview with Danuta Holecka, Kaczyński recalled a recent private conversation with Morawiecki. He had told the former premier he could still become prime minister again. Morawiecki rejected the scenario.
He told me he knows where the source of power is – it is the party, and he wants to take over the party.
The PiS chairman described that response as legitimate ambition, but added that Morawiecki's repeated calls for unity clash with actions he believes are splintering the party.
'Maślarze' versus Morawiecki
Deputy parliamentary leader Ryszard Terlecki had urged Kaczyński to 'chase away the maślarze'. Kaczyński refused, praising them as people 'with well-formed views, sometimes serious intellectual achievement, who demonstrated loyalty and efficiency in difficult times'. He noted their association was dissolved at the leadership's request. Had Morawiecki followed the same path, Kaczyński said, he would now be 'a very important – more than very important – name in our party, and one of those who, when I leave, could be serious candidates to replace me'.
- Deadline expires for PiS MPs to declare no association membership
- Kaczyński interview on TV Republika reveals Morawiecki's party takeover ambition
- Political Committee expected to ratify membership resignations
Morawiecki's ambition in his own words
Kaczyński told TV Republika that Morawiecki explicitly told him 'the prime minister is not important, but the leadership of the party is'. The chairman sees this as a clue to Morawiecki's behaviour. Earlier, on wPolsce24.pl, Kaczyński had referenced Morawiecki's more complex past, noting he spent a long time on the side that attacked the party and had even been an advisor to Donald Tusk.
Separate ways
Despite the rift, Kaczyński expressed hope for eventual reconciliation and said he does not intend to quarrel with Morawiecki or his colleagues. 'Agreement will surely come one day. We will go a little different ways,' he said, adding that he wished the former prime minister well.
