The former agriculture minister also says he wants to initiate a new political movement. In doing so, Ardanowski is implicitly challenging the leadership of PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski.
A notable aspect of Ardanowski's announcement is his move to the faction of Paweł Kukiz. Kukiz is a former rock musician and politician known for his populist and anti-establishment views.
Ardanowski has also indicated a willingness to cooperate with other political groups, including possibly the right-wing Confederation. This could point to a broader strategic alliance that might further change the political dynamics in Poland.
In the recent parliamentary elections, the liberal opposition led by former EU commissioner Donald Tusk won enough votes to defeat the right-wing PiS coalition. Tusk’s center-left coalition remains fragile and not yet well-coordinated.
Several dissatisfied right-wing PiS members and politicians have shown interest in joining Ardanowski. He has repeatedly stated in recent months that the time for PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński is coming to an end. “This horse will no longer pull the cart,” he said in a recent speech.
Many Polish voters are disappointed with Kaczynski’s PiS course. Ardanowski said he especially wants to represent the interests of farmers and rural areas. He had to resign as agriculture minister several years ago when he continued to oppose controversial animal welfare proposals from then PiS Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
The dissatisfaction in rural areas over those (now withdrawn) proposals is now seen as one of the reasons for the PiS coalition’s loss at the polls.
Ardanowski’s announcement has elicited mixed reactions. While some analysts are skeptical about yet another split on the right side of Poland’s already fragmented political landscape, others see potential in Ardanowski’s initiative. The next parliamentary elections in Poland are scheduled to be held in just over three years.