The Republicans (Poland)

The Republicans (Polish: Republikanie) is a national-conservative political party in Poland, and former political association.

Republican Party
Partia Republikańska
LeaderAdam Bielan
FounderPrzemysław Wipler
Founded22 June 2013 (2013-06-22) (association)
20 June 2021 (2021-06-20) (party)
Dissolved23 February 2017 (2017-02-23) (association)
Split fromAgreement (2021)
Merged intoKukiz'15 (2017)
Headquartersul. Marszałkowska 58/15, 00-545 Warsaw
IdeologyNational conservatism[1]
Political positionRight-wing
National affiliationUnited Right
European Parliament groupEuropean Conservatives and Reformists
Sejm
4 / 460
Senate
1 / 100
European Parliament
1 / 52
Regional Councils
6 / 552
City Presidents
0 / 107
Website
republikanie.org.pl
Politics of Poland
Government
Legislature
Executive
Judiciary
Elections
Political parties
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
Related topics

It was founded as an association in 2013, which was instrumental in the creation of Kukiz'15, which it joined in 2017. It was resurrected in June 2021 by a pro-Law and Justice and anti-Gowin faction of the Agreement party led by MEP Adam Bielan, who was joined by five of its 18 MPs. This was as a result of an internal split, whereby the newly formed party joined the United Right coalition in power as a full member, as the Gowin-loyalist remainder of the Agreement party left the coalition.

History

Foundation of association and its downfall (2013–2017)

On 3 June 2013, the founder of the Republican Association, Przemysław Wipler, left the Law and Justice party, announcing the creation of a new political organisation which would be called the "Republicans".[2] The "Republicans" was registered as a political party on 2 August. On 22 August, the party held its founding convention, which hosted, among others, Paweł Kukiz.[3] Przemysław Wipler was appointed president, and Anna Streżyńska appointed vice president.[4] On 23 November, following the election of the new government, Przemysław Wipler continued as the president, defeating Annę Streżyńska at the vote.

At the beginning of 2014, Anna Streżyńska left the "Republicans". On 20 February 2014, a group of "Republicans" activists, led by Przemysław Wipler and Łukasz Wróbel, left Poland.[5][6] On 10 March, Przemysław Wipler concluded a cooperation agreement with the Congress of the New Right.[7] Some "Republicans" activists, led by Jacek Sierpinski, would later join the Libertarian Party.

In January 2015, many "Republicans" activists supported KORWiN, and Przemysław Wipler became the party's vice president. In the parliamentary elections to the Sejm, the party fielded two candidates, Magdalena Błeńska and Tomasz Jaskóła, and several others associated with the Republican Foundation. On 28 November 2015, at the Third Congress of the "Republicans", Przemysław Wipler stepped down as president, and was replaced by Karol Rabenda, who at the same time led KORWiN in Pomerania.

On 23 February, Karol Rabenda, then president, resigned from the party, as did Magdalena Błeńska, then vice president, and "Republicans" member Anna Siarkowska too resigned and caucused with Kukiz'15.[8]

Reactivation and joining the government (2021–present)

On 20 June 2021, the reactivating congress took place. Karol Rabenda took the stage to announce that Agreement members will join the Republican association and restructure it into a party, and that will join the governing coalition as a full member. Law & Justice chairman Jarosław Kaczyński also made a speech praising the reformed party. Another congress is set to take place in October 2021, where the new party leader will be elected.[9]

Program

In its party program, the Republicans describes itself as adhering to "modern conservatism" and encouraging solidarity and social responsibility between Poles while rejecting "leftist collectivism and liberal individualism" in favour of building a sense of community. The party also calls for the Polish government to culturally and economically support Polish expatriates and ethnic Poles living in former Eastern Bloc nations.[10]

The Republicans advocate the creation of single-member constituencies and online voting, as well as enhanced direct democracy. According to its program, the Republicans advocate for economically liberal policies such as commitment to reducing taxes, and the simplification of the tax system.[11] The party also advocates reducing the number of posts in the public administration by at least one-fifth.

The party's family policies include the introduction of a two-year paid maternity leave, the introduction of school vouchers and increased child tax credits. The party is also committed to some policies which "deregulate" the economy, and some support the replacement of the Social Insurance Institution and the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund.[12]

In foreign policy, the party supports Poland developing further ties with NATO and takes a pro-American Atlanticism stance, especially to counteract what it describes as "German-Russian rapprochement" within Europe. The Republicans also call for Poland to have a "proper place in the European family of nations" with an emphasis on playing an important role within the European Union but opposes policies of the EU that impact on sovereignty and argues Poland should have an "overriding principle" to protect its own interests and security first. The party supports bilateral agreements with Britain following Brexit.[13]

Election results

Sejm
Election year Leader # of
votes		  % of
vote		 # of
overall seats won		 +/– Government
2019 Anna Maria Siarkowska 8,051,935 43.6 (#1)
1 / 460
 New Coalition
As a part of the United Right coalition, which won 235 seats in total.
2023 Adam Bielan 7,640,854 35.4 (#1)
4 / 460
 Increase 3 TBA
As a part of the United Right coalition, which won 194 seats in total.

References
  1. "Poland". Europe Elects.
  2. "Republicans ASSOCIATION". Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  3. Agata Kondzińska (22 June 2013). "Kukiz u republikanów: Połączymy siły i rozpirzymy ich w dym!". wyborcza.pl. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  4. Łukasz Głombicki (1 November 2013). "Wipler nie jest już szefem Stowarzyszenia Republikanie. Zastąpi go Streżyńska". Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  5. "Jarosław Gowin: Przemysław Wipler poza Polską Razem". 20 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  6. Paweł Majewski (21 February 2014). "Wipler odchodzi, część Republikanów z Gowinem". Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  7. "Przemysław Wipler i Janusz Korwin-Mikke podpisali porozumienie programowe". 10 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  8. "Republikanie w Sejmie. Powstało nowe koło poselskie". 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  9. "Powstała Partia Republikańska – nowa siła polityczna Adama Bielana. Na sali Jarosław Kaczyński". 20 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  10. "Program". Republikanie (in Polish). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  11. "Program". Republikanie (in Polish). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  12. "Priorytety dla Polski". republikanie.net. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  13. "Program". Republikanie (in Polish). Retrieved 26 December 2021.
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