In 2015, the Law and Justice (PiS) party swept to power with the first parliamentary absolute majority in Polish post-communist history. Since then, they have implemented a number of policies that have, at times, caused friction with Brussels – not least a controversial judicial reform that culminated in an Article 7 procedure. Now, as Poland returns to the polls, the party’s lead seems unassailable, but local elections last year demonstrated that the opposition should not be disregarded.

What do the election results imply for the PiS party’s grip on power? What can we expect from the coalitions formed by the fragmented opposition parties? How will the result affect Poland’s recent judicial reforms at the centre of the rule of law dialogue with the EU? With so much of the electoral debate focusing on LGBT rights, as well as on air pollution and energy, what position will the future Polish government take on EU policies regarding minorities and climate action? This event will address these and other questions.