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Here’s a look at the key political parties in Sunday’s vote:
Law and Justice (PiS)
The national-conservative PiS, which has ruled Poland for the past eight years, has faced accusations at home and abroad of undermining democratic rules and reshaping the country according to its deeply conservative values.
But its welfare programs and minimum wage hikes have proven popular, raising living standards for millions of Poles and helping PiS build broader national support.
PiS has pledged further social spending increases and also plans to boost standing army personnel to 300,000 soldiers.
It promises to continue supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia but not at the expense of Poland’s own interest.
It seeks greater independence within the EU, opposes the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and vows to tackle illegal migration, especially from the Middle East and Africa.
Civic Coalition (KO)
The main opposition Civic Coalition, comprising the liberal Civic Platform, Greens, Modern and Polish Initiative, pledges to dismantle PiS’s judicial reforms with the aim of freeing up billions of euros in EU recovery funds.
It also promises an overall improvement in Poland’s strained ties with the EU.
KO says it will guarantee media freedoms and loosen abortion law after a near-total ban since 2021 on terminations.
Former European Council President and ex-Prime Minister Donald Tusk is head of the Civic Coalition.
The Third Way
The alliance of Poland 2050 and the Polish Peasant’s Party (PSL) presents itself as an alternative in the contest between PiS and KO.
The center-right coalition’s campaign agenda focuses on simplifying the tax system, measures to help small businesses, and increasing education spending.
The alliance needs to garner at least 8% of votes to enter parliament, which is key to the opposition getting any chance to form a government.
The New Left
The New Left, currently polling at around 10%, is a possible third coalition partner for the KO and Third Way.
It wants to focus on labor law reforms, empowering trade unions and gradually introducing a 35-hour working week and 35 days of statutory vacation.
The party vows to fight for women’s rights, liberalize abortion laws and promote LGBT rights, including by allowing same-sex marriages.
Confederation
The far-right Confederation criticises what it says is the government’s subservient attitude to Ukraine. It opposes social benefits for Ukrainian refugees and wants Poland to prioritize its own military over providing arms to Kyiv.
It also wants to abolish 15 taxes, continue coal mining and combat illegal migration.
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