English Section

Leftist candidate joins Poland's presidential race

15.12.2024 17:39
Magdalena Biejat, Deputy Speaker of Poland’s Senate and a prominent member of the Left party, has announced her candidacy for the 2025 presidential elections.
Deputy Speaker of the Senate Magdalena Biejat, and Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk during the Left party convention.
Deputy Speaker of the Senate Magdalena Biejat, and Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk during the Left party convention.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

The National Council of the New Left unanimously endorsed Biejat as their official candidate, with the senator promising a campaign focused on values such as hope, care, and cooperation.

Biejat outlined key priorities for her platform, including combating poverty, addressing Poland's demographic crisis, improving access to affordable housing, and raising salaries for public sector workers.

Biejat, a senator known for her progressive views and commitment to social issues, said her campaign would prioritize people’s needs, aiming to bring a new direction to the presidency. Her candidacy marks an important step for the Left in reasserting its relevance in Poland’s political arena.

While the official presidential campaign is yet to begin, Biejat’s early announcement signals an intent to establish a strong presence in the race. The campaign period is expected to be launched in early 2025, as indicated by Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia.

The presidential election is anticipated to take place in May 2025, with current President Andrzej Duda set to complete his term in August.

Rafał Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw and candidate of the governing Civic Coalition (KO), and Karol Nawrocki, head of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, have previously entered the race.

The right-wing party described Nawrocki as a "civic candidate," despite its endorsement.

Other declared candidates include lower-house Speaker Szymon Hołownia, representing the Poland 2050 group, Sławomir Mentzen from the far-right Confederation, and Marek Jakubiak of the Free Republicans.

(tf)

Source: IAR