Polish PM Szydlo to mark government’s halfway point with cabinet shakeup
Today marks the halfway point of the rule of Poland’s right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS).
A few weeks ago, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo announced an imminent cabinet reshuffle, which many expect will occur today. The move is an attempt to bolster support for PiS going into the second half of the government’s term. Expect some unpopular cabinet members, like Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski, to be shown the door.
Infighting within the party has emerged over differences in support for President Andrzej Duda. Rumours have arisen that party leader and lower house deputy Jarosław Kaczynski might replace Szydlo as PM to crack down on said schisms. Considered by many to be the most powerful man in Poland, Kaczynski maintains a tight grip over his ruling party, dictating all of its policies.
Regardless, Ms Szydlo is one of the most trusted politicians in Poland, while Kaczynski is one of the least, making it unlikely that she will be replaced by the party leader. Instead, expect Kaczynski to continue working behind the scenes to push his party’s legislative agenda and further the government’s trend towards authoritarianism.
