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The 15 October Coalition (Polish: Koalicja 15 października) has been the ruling government of Poland since 13 December 2023.[6][7] It is a big tent coalition that includes various political parties. The coalition was formed after the parliamentary election held on 15 October. Donald Tusk, the then prime minister–designate, coined the term in his speech to the Sejm, announcing the new government's plans after a vote of no confidence for Mateusz Morawiecki.[8][9]
15 October Coalition Koalicja 15 października | |
|---|---|
 The Coalition's party leaders. From left to right: Szymon Hołownia (Poland 2050), Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (PSL), Donald Tusk (KO), Włodzimierz Czarzasty and Robert Biedroń (New Left) | |
| Founded | 10 November 2023 |
| Ideology | Rainbow coalition[1] Liberal conservatism[2] Pro-Europeanism[3] Factions: Progressivism[4] Conservatism[4] Neoliberalism[1] |
| Political position | Centre-right[5] |
| Members | |
| Sejm | 239 / 460
|
| Senate(Senate Pact 2023) | 63 / 100
|
| European Parliament | 27 / 53
|
| Regional assemblies | 298 / 552
|
| Voivodes | 16 / 16
|
| Voivodeship marshals | 12 / 16
|
Prior to assuming power, the parties opposing the ruling Law and Justice-led United Right (with the exception of the far-right Confederation) were referred to as the Democratic Opposition (Polish: Demokratyczna opozycja) in the lead up to the 2023 elections. The firmly left wing Left Together party (Polish: Partia Razem) originally planned to enter the coalition, together with the New Left party as part of The Left coalition; however, due to a number of key issues being left out of the coalition agreement, the party has opted to stay out of government but has also voted to support Tusk's government in votes of confidence.[10] Razem would later leave The Left and move into the opposition.
Law and Justice politicians and some right-wing media outlets refer to the coalition as the 13 December Coalition. The name refers to the date of the establishment of the government by President Andrzej Duda on 13 December 2023 and is an allusion to the 42nd anniversary of the introduction of martial law in Poland on 13 December 1981 by General Wojciech Jaruzelski.[11]
Ideology
editThe coalition has been described as liberal-conservative.[2] Political scientists Krzysztof Jasiewicz and Agnieszka Jasiewicz-Betkiewicz described the coalition as "a truly rainbow coalition, ranging in cultural matters from radical left to moderate conservatives and in socio-economic policies from welfarestate socialists to pro-market neo-liberals".[1] The main parts of the coalition, namely Civic Coalition, Third Way (former alliance of Poland 2050 and Polish Coalition), and The Left are considered liberal, conservative, and progressive, respectively.[4] The coalition is considered to have pursued a largely conservative agenda.[12] Dan Davison described it as a "a government dominated by the neoliberal center-right", with "a marginal, nominally left-wing voice" represented by the New Left.[13] Writing on the coalition's ideological focus, Verfassungsblog wrote:
The so-called “15 October Coalition” – an alliance of the liberal Civic Platform (PO), the Left, and the conservative Third Way – came to power in late 2023 in the atmosphere of democratic awakening and civic mobilization. Yet, despite its progressive commitments, the government soon shifted to the right. Key demands from its electoral base – including abortion reform and legal recognition of civil partnerships – were quietly sidelined. More tellingly, the coalition maintained several PiS-era policies, particularly its hardline stance on migration at the Belarusian border, effectively mirroring the very approach it had vocally condemned.[14]
Political scientist Gavin Rae assessed the coalition as such:
The KO did much to extend the right-wing policies of the PiS. It has intensified the anti-migrant atmosphere which has long been building in the country, cancelling the right to asylum for some refugees crossing into Poland from Belarus and attempting to push them back across the border. Rather than taking meaningful steps to reverse the PiS legal reforms – designed to consolidate power in the executive – it has pursued a similar course of action to its predecessor: seizing control of the Polish public broadcaster by firing its directors and replacing them with sympathetic ones.[15]
Member parties
editSee also
editNotes
edit- ↑ Centre is a parliamentary group formed on 18 February 2026 by MPs and Senators who left Poland 2050.[16] Its members declared that Centre will also become a political party.[17]
References
edit- 1 2 3 Jasiewicz, Krzysztof; Jasiewicz-Betkiewicz, Agnieszka (2024). "Poland: Political Developments and Data in 2023. Liberal Democracy Returns?". European Journal of Political Research Political Data Yearbook. 63 (1). European Consortium for Political Research: 392. doi:10.1111/2047-8852.12441.
This is a truly rainbow coalition, ranging in cultural matters from radical left to moderate conservatives and in socio-economic policies from welfarestate socialists to pro-market neo-liberals. What holds them together, at least so far, is their commitment to liberal democracy and the rule of law.
- 1 2
- Locke, Stefan (30 January 2026). "Die „größte und modernste" Drohnenabwehr Europas". Frankfurter Allgemeine (in German). Warsaw.
Die liberalkonservative Regierung von Ministerpräsident Tusk hat sich als Ziel gesetzt, Polens Armee bis 2035 von derzeit 230.000 auf 300.000 Soldaten auszubauen.
[The liberal-conservative government of Prime Minister Tusk has set itself the goal of expanding Poland's army from its current strength of 230,000 to 300,000 soldiers by 2035.] - Heil, Philipp; Potrafke, Niklas; Tähtinen, Tuuli; Wochner, Timo (2024). Niklas Potrafke (ed.). Evaluating Global Economic Policy Worldwide (PDF) (Report). Economic Experts Survey. Vol. 2024 (Q1). Munich: ifo Institute, Center for Public Finance and Political Economy. p. 15.
This coincides with the electoral turnover of the incumbent PiS government, resulting in a new liberal-conservative government under Donald Tusk
- Sieradzka, Monika; von Richthofen, Luisa (26 January 2025). "How does Poland deal with Holocaust remembrance today?". Deutsche Welle. Szumowo.
Grabowski accuses the liberal-conservative government of Donald Tusk of a passive stance on the issue.
- "Donald Tusk gewinnt Vertrauensvotum". Deutschlandfunk (in German). 11 June 2025.
Der Wahlausgang setzte Polens liberal-konservative Regierung unter Ministerpräsident Donald Tusk unter Druck, dessen pro-europäischer Kurs in Frage gestellt wurde.
[The election result put pressure on Poland's liberal-conservative government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose pro-European course was called into question.] - von Marschall, Christoph (7 August 2025). "Polen schafft Deutschland-Beauftragten ab: „Das sind schlechte Nachrichten"". Tagesspiegel (in German).
Polens liberal-konservative Regierung hat die Stelle des Deutschland-Beauftragten gestrichen.
[Poland's liberal-conservative government has abolished the position of Germany representative.] - Monfort, Isabelle (28 October 2025). "Petit tour d'Europe". Isabelle Monfort (in French).
Les Polonais, par une courte victoire, ont choisi un président d'extrême-droite, en cohabitation avec le gouvernement libéral-conservateur et pro-Europe de Donald Tusk.
[The Poles have narrowly elected a far-right president, who will govern alongside Donald Tusk's liberal-conservative, pro-European government.] - Steger, Natalie (18 November 2025). "Wie Polens Vertrauen in Deutschland schwindet". ZDF (in German). Warsaw.
Welchen Einfluss hat auf polnischer Seite die liberalkonservative Regierung Tusk?
[What influence does the liberal-conservative government of Tusk have on the Polish side?] - "Polish parliament expresses confidence in Tusk's government". Radar Armenia. 12 June 2025.
Tusk requested the vote of confidence after the conservative Karol Nawrotsky's victory in the country's presidential election, which was a serious blow to Tusk's liberal-conservative government.
- Locke, Stefan (30 January 2026). "Die „größte und modernste" Drohnenabwehr Europas". Frankfurter Allgemeine (in German). Warsaw.
- ↑ Beszłej, Franciszek Józef (8 February 2026). Łagódka, Patrick (ed.). "Polish right-wing voters back alliance to challenge centrist government, poll shows". TVP World. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
The parties share broadly right‑wing and nationalist platforms that contrast with the pro‑European, centrist orientation of the current government.
- 1 2 3 Bukowski, Pawel; Paczos, Wojtek (20 March 2024). "What next for Poland's economy?". Economics Observatory.
The new coalition government – known as the '15 October coalition' – marks a sharp departure from the past. It is prioritising competence, the rule of law and investment in the skills and education of the Polish people (their human capital). Comprising the liberal Civic Platform, the conservative Third Way and the progressive New Left, the coalition reflects a spectrum of values and ideologies.
- ↑
- Spike, Justin (25 October 2024). "Hungary's Orbán claims Poland's center-right government was installed by the EU". AP News.
- Kauffmann, Sylvie (4 June 2025). "'Poland, once the spearhead of NATO and EU enlargement, could become the country that closes the door to new members'". Le Monde.
In theory, the center-right government retains power in Warsaw. But the president has the power to block legislation, thanks to a veto right over laws passed by parliament and certain appointments made by the government.
- Sobhan, Shakeel; Rahn, Wesley (18 May 2025). "Tusk government anxious ahead of Poland's presidential vote". Deutsche Welle. AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa.
The outcome of the presidential election will determine whether the pro-EU center-right government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk can take forward its plans, which have been stymied by President Andrzej Duda since the government was elected about 18 months ago.
- "World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2025". World Nuclear Industry Status Report. 26 November 2025.
Just after the ESC was signed, general elections in Poland resulted in a leadership change that brought a center-right government under Donald Tusk, who had already been Polish Prime Minister from 2007 to 2014, into office in December 2023.
- Chastand, Jean-Baptiste; Hivert, Anne-Françoise; Boutelet, Cécile; Ducourtieux, Cécile; Bonnel, Olivier; Piquer, Isabelle; Bienvenu, Hélène; Rafenberg, Marina. "How European countries are responding to soaring fuel prices". Le Monde.
Poland's center-right government under Donald Tusk has hesitated to intervene directly in fuel prices, though it has not ruled out reducing VAT and excise duties if prices remain high.
- Gavin, Gabriel (9 June 2025). "Poland's Sikorski: Nationalist election win won't derail fight against Russia". Politico.
He takes over the presidency from Andrzej Duda, a PiS politician who used the largely ceremonial role to hold up planned judicial reforms and other constitutional changes proposed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's center-right government.
- Soler, Paula (29 February 2024). "EU Commission clears Poland's access to up to €137bn EU funds". EUObserver. Brussels.
After Tusk regained power in Poland's elections last October on a promise to restore the rule of law in the country, his centre-right government has focused primarily on this, in order to release EU-frozen money from cohesion funds and post-pandemic aid.
- Tomczak, Małgorzata (31 October 2025). "Under Siege: Poland's 'Prepper' Scene Goes Mainstream". Balkan Insight. Warsaw.
This year, Poland's centre-right government, led by Donald Tusk, introduced brief-but-mandatory courses for men to pick up basic military, survival and first-aid skills.
- Rankin, Jennifer (4 February 2025). "'They are people': asylum seekers caught up in 'hybrid war' at Poland-Belarus border". The Guardian. Czeremcha.
The exclusion zone, which runs along a 38-mile stretch of the border, was reintroduced by Donald Tusk's centre-right government in June.
- "Kaczyński re-elected as PiS leader as party gears up for election in 2027". bne IntelliNews. 29 June 2025.
PiS emerged reinvigorated after the party-backed candidate Karol Nawrocki defied the odds to win the presidential election on June 1 in a setback to the centre-right government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
- ↑ "Donald Tusk: będziemy się nazywać Koalicją 15 października". onet.pl. Onet Wiadomości. 12 December 2023.
- ↑ "Tusk calls government October 15 Coalition". www.pap.pl. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ↑ "Trzy konkrety Tuska dla przedsiębiorców. "Będą natychmiast"". 12 December 2023.
- ↑ "Premier Tusk do posłów, którzy zadali mu pytania: otrzymacie odpowiedź na pytania na piśmie". Polska Agencja Prasowa (in Polish). 2023-12-12.
- ↑ "Dlaczego partia Razem nie wejdzie do rządu Tuska? Adrian Zandberg tłumaczy". Rzeczpospolita (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-12-13.
- ↑ "Andrzej Duda i totalna kohabitacja. Czy Donald Tusk zostanie premierem 13 grudnia?". Rzeczpospolita (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-12-16.
- ↑ Nowicka-Franczak, Magdalena (2025). "Memory's Backlash or Revival? The Polono-Jewish Wartime Past in the Contemporary Public Debate in Poland". In Paul Środecki; Daria Kozlova (eds.). War and Remembrance II: World War II and the Holocaust between Tabooization and Competing Narratives in Post-Socialist Europe. War (Hi)Stories. Vol. 15. Brill Schöningh. p. 63. doi:10.30965/9783657797813_003. ISBN 978-3-506-79781-0.
The coalition government, comprising the centrist Civic Platform, the Christian-democratic Poland 2050, and with minority participation from the Left, has pursued a largely conservative agenda.
- ↑ Davison, Dan (6 February 2024). "Whither Poland? The Polish Left and Far Right under Tusk's New Government". Spectre. doi:10.63478/PP2BOZ20.
The center-right, liberal, and left parties have a joint maximum of 248 votes. KO and TD vastly outnumber the New Left, rendering it a marginal, nominally left-wing voice within a government dominated by the neoliberal center-right.
- ↑ Zomerski, Wojciech (11 June 2025). "Anatomy of a Liberal Fall: Poland's 2025 Presidential Election". Verfassungsblog. doi:10.59704/ee63bc06c3062698. hdl:1814/94923.
- ↑ Rae, Gavin (6 June 2025). "Weak Myths". New Left Review (124). Sidecar. doi:10.64590/gay. ISSN 0028-6060.
- ↑ "Rozłam Polski 2050. Oto skład nowego klubu parlamentarnego Centrum [LISTA]". Onet (in Polish). 18 February 2026.
- ↑ Jabłonowski, Krzysztof (18 February 2026). "Nowy klub w parlamencie: Centrum. Politycy Polski 2050 potwierdzają rozłam w partii". zero.pl (in Polish).