PiS to endorse an independent presidential candidate on Sunday

The meeting is to be held in Kraków's historic Sokół Hall (Polish Gymnastic Society building Sokół), a venue described by Bochenek as "significant for the Polish patriotic community." Notably, it was in this location a decade ago that PiS announced Andrzej Duda as their presidential candidate.

Rafał Bochenek said that during the meeting "a decision will be announced regarding the support for an independent candidate for the office of President of the Republic of Poland, recommended by the team appointed for this purpose based on a decision of the Political Committee."

Bochenek stated that the event is community-focused and that participation can be arranged through PiS parliamentary offices. "This marks the beginning of our shared, months-long journey of hard work and collaboration for everyone committed to Poland’s future," he said, emphasizing themes of solidarity and unity.

PiS recently tasked a special team, led by Kaczyński, with selecting a presidential candidate. The team included prominent figures such as parliamentary leader Mariusz Błaszczak, former Sejm Speaker Elżbieta Witek, ex-Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, and PiS Secretary-General Piotr Milowański. According to sources, the party conducted extensive research on potential candidates, with the final data submitted to party headquarters earlier this week.

Law and Justice (PiS) has not yet announced who the party's candidate will be in next year's presidential election.

Media reports suggest that potential candidates may include Karol Nawrocki, the President of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), who is not a member of PiS, Tobiasz Bocheński, an MEP and former candidate for Mayor of Warsaw, Przemysław Czarnek, the former Minister of Education and Science, and Mariusz Błaszczak, the former Minister of National Defense and current leader of the PiS parliamentary group.

Bochenek’s emphasis on endorsing an "independent candidate" seems to suggest that party members like Czarnek, Błaszczak, and Bocheński may be excluded, leaving Nawrocki as a potential frontrunner.

Party insiders have offered varying takes on the decision. Asked if a final choice had been made, Kaczyński stated on Thursday: "Not yet," while confirming there were four candidates still under consideration. On Wednesday, PiS Vice Chairman Ryszard Terlecki suggested the race had narrowed to Czarnek and Nawrocki, though he hinted at potential surprises.

Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, Jacek Sasin, speaking on TVN24, cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, suggesting that "more than two" candidates were still being evaluated.

Sunday’s announcement could provide clarity or a surprise contender.