Jarosław Kaczyński is a victim of his own methods
Jarosław Kaczyński, the longtime leader of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party, has long relied on a political strategy built on populism, centralized control, and polarizing rhetoric. These methods initially yielded significant success, bringing PiS to power and allowing Kaczyński to shape Poland’s political landscape. However, those very tactics now appear to be backfiring, making him a victim of his own approach.
Kaczyński’s rule was marked by a strong grip on state institutions, from the judiciary to public media, as well as aggressive campaigning that deepened social divisions. He positioned himself as the protector of traditional values against liberal, EU-aligned forces. This strategy worked well among older and rural voters, but alienated younger, urban populations and fueled mass protests—especially around controversial judicial reforms and women’s rights.
By building a system based on loyalty rather than competence, Kaczyński surrounded himself with yes-men, reducing internal criticism and weakening policy innovation. Over time, this led to strategic missteps, such as confrontational stances with the EU and unpopular domestic policies. These have eroded public support, even among PiS’s traditional base.
Furthermore, his divisive style left little room for political compromise or alliance-building. Once the tide began to turn, Kaczyński found himself increasingly isolated. The opposition, galvanized by years of democratic backsliding under PiS, united more effectively than before, leading to electoral setbacks for the party.
In essence, the political machinery Kaczyński built to ensure control has become rigid and outdated in a changing Poland. The very mechanisms that empowered him now constrain him. His inability—or unwillingness—to adapt has left him vulnerable, proving that the politics of domination often sow the seeds of their own
undoing.