PiS spokesperson: Kaczyński laid down conditions for coalition's future

The crisis within the ruling camp is particularly bitter between PiS and United Poland led by justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro. Both leaders met late at night on Monday, "Fakt" daily informed first. Deputy justice minister Sebastian Kaleta of United Poland later confirmed the news to TVN24.

On Tuesday afternoon, PiS spokesperson Anita Czerwińska also confirmed the two leaders had indeed met, and informed that Jarosław Kaczyński had laid down conditions that would need to be met in order for the coalition's future existence. "We're now waiting for a reply from United Poland. We hope it will be positive" - Czerwińska told PAP.

On Monday, the leadership of the PiS party discussed the future of the ruling coalition. The party spokesperson Anita Czerwińska said after the meeting that key decisions had been taken and that details would be announced soon.

The ongoing crisis has been sparked by conflict over voting on a bill on animal rights and on a set of regulations absolving officials from responsibility for actions aimed at tackling the pandemic. The vote on the latter was cancelled on September 17.

Despite imposing party discipline in the vote on the animal rights bill, a total 38 members of the ruling coalition voted against the legislation, including all United Poland party lawmakers and two from the Accord party. 15 other MPs from Jarosław Gowin's party abstained. Among those who voted against was agriculture minister Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski (PiS) and justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro (United Poland).

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki appeared at the PiS party headquarters at Nowogrodzka street after 3pm on Tuesday. He was seen leaving the building around 5pm.

Earlier that day, before 2pm, the Accord party chief Jarosław Gowin arrived on Nowogrodzka street. According to TVN24 reporter, he left the PiS headquarters shortly after the prime minister's arrival.