Address at the Augustów congress

Law and Justice (PiS) leader Jarosław Kaczyński spoke before nearly 300 young participants at the two-day ECR Youth Congress in Augustów on 19 September 2026. The convention, organized jointly by PiS and the European Conservatives and Reformists under the banner "Youth for the Poland of Tomorrow", scheduled panels on artificial intelligence, social media strategy, and professional leadership for conservative women. Kaczyński appeared as the special guest for a two-hour question-and-answer session led by PiS MP Radosław Fogiel. During the proceedings, PiS spokesperson Rafał Bochenek announced that Magdalena Cirkot had been appointed to lead the party's youth wing. Kaczyński opened by dismissing criticism that PiS neglects young voters, pointing to attendance at the conference as evidence of active youth engagement.

Blaming presidential vetoes for halted state reforms

Reflecting on his party's tenure in office between 2015 and 2023, Kaczyński stated that PiS did not complete its intended overhaul of state structures. He placed direct responsibility for the stall on former President Andrzej Duda, who in July 2017 vetoed two bills governing the Supreme Court and the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS). Duda had objected to granting the justice minister discretionary authority over judicial retirements and favored a three-fifths parliamentary majority for KRS appointments over a simple majority. Kaczyński argued that broader governance reforms depended entirely on first restructuring the court system.

“Musiała jednak ona zacząć się od reformy sądów, w tym reformy Sądu Najwyższego. Na skutek weta prezydenta Andrzeja Dudy zostało to zahamowane. Cały ten związek przyczynowy został zerwany.”

Strategic projects and economic targets

Kaczyński cited several flagship programs initiated under PiS governance, pointing to extensive social welfare expenditures that curtailed poverty and an administrative commission established to stop predatory tenement evictions. He discussed long-term infrastructure and security projects, including the Central Communication Port (CPK), navigation improvements along the Oder River, and plans to construct two large nuclear power stations alongside small modular reactors (SMRs). Regarding defense, Kaczyński noted that his administration planned an army of at least 350,000 soldiers, asserting that current authorities have reduced this recruitment target. Looking ahead, he told attendees that the Polish economy is closing the gap with Germany and could eventually surpass it in wealth.

“Podjęliśmy decyzje o wielkich inwestycjach. Symbolem jest CPK, ale tych inwestycji było znaczenie więcej. Realna decyzja o budowaniu elektrowni atomowej (rozmowy były zaawansowane). Miały powstać 2 duże, plus SMR-y.”

Parliamentary standards and platform preview

Addressing standards of public decorum, Kaczyński argued that the Sejm saw fewer vulgarities in the years immediately following 1989 compared to current sessions, accusing lawmakers from the governing Civic Coalition (KO) of boorish behavior. He acknowledged that past parliaments struggled with heavy drinking and improper conduct among politicians, but contended that modern rhetoric has deteriorated. The gathering in Augustów experienced a brief interruption when a stage platform buckled under the weight of participants assembling for a group photograph with Kaczyński, though no injuries were reported. Kaczyński concluded by announcing an economic convention scheduled for October 2026, where PiS plans to introduce new investment policies alongside an updated electoral platform for young voters.