Poll finds 48.9% of Poles say Jarosław Kaczyński lacks control over PiS

Overall survey findings

A survey conducted by United Surveys by IBRiS for Wirtualna Polska indicates that 48.9% of Polish respondents believe Jarosław Kaczyński is not controlling the situation inside Law and Justice (PiS). When asked directly whether the party president controls the situation in PiS, 24.8% of participants answered "definitely not", making it the single most frequent response in the study. An additional 24.1% selected the response "rather not", bringing the total negative assessment to 48.9% across the nationwide sample. In contrast, a total of 35.7% of respondents took the opposite view and expressed confidence in Kaczyński's authority over party ranks. Specifically, 19.6% responded "definitely yes", while 16.1% stated that he "rather" controls internal party affairs. A remaining share of 15.4% of surveyed respondents selected the answer "don't know/hard to say".

Divergence among political camps

Evaluations of Kaczyński's leadership diverge substantially depending on respondents' declared political sympathies. The highest level of skepticism regarding his authority appears among voters aligned with the ruling government coalition, where 72% of respondents stated that the PiS president lacks control over the party. Only 14% of ruling coalition supporters took the opposite view, asserting that Kaczyński maintains control, while another 14% were unable to determine their stance. Critical views also predominate among right-wing voters outside the governing coalition. Supporters of Confederation and Grzegorz Braun's Confederation of the Polish Crown recorded a combined 66% share stating that Kaczyński does not manage the situation in PiS. Among Confederation voters, 26% affirmed his control over the party, and 8% expressed no opinion.

Sentiment within opposition groups

Perceptions within the broader opposition electorate reflect a more favorable view of the long-standing party leader. Across a survey bracket combining voters who back PiS, both Confederation parties, and Left Together (Razem), 52% of respondents stated that Kaczyński holds the reins in his party. Even within this opposition cohort, however, 39% answered that he lacks control over PiS, while 9% expressed no opinion on the issue. Among the remaining respondents not categorized in these primary political groupings, 42% indicated that they could not evaluate the situation clearly. Within that unaligned group, 32% believed Kaczyński retains control, whereas 26% answered that he does not.

Polling methodology and sample

The research was conducted between 18 and 20 September 2026 across Poland by United Surveys by IBRiS for Wirtualna Polska. The research team collected data using a mixed-mode methodology that combined standardized computer-assisted web interviews (CAWI) and computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI). The study sampled a representative nationwide group of 1,000 Polish citizens. The central question posed to respondents was: "In your opinion, does Jarosław Kaczyński currently control the situation in Law and Justice?" The resulting figures outline public sentiment regarding internal party cohesion and leadership within Poland's main opposition formation.