Joint endorsement in Zielona Góra

Law and Justice (PiS) and the Confederation (Konfederacja) announced joint political backing for Janusz Kubicki in the upcoming Senate by-election in District 20. Kubicki served as mayor of Zielona Góra from 2006 to 2024 and is running as an independent under the local committee 'Po pierwsze Lubuskie' (Lubuskie First). Both right-wing parties chose not to field their own official party candidates to avoid dividing conservative voters. Confederation MP Krystian Kamiński confirmed the decision during a press conference on Wednesday 7 October 2026. A separate electoral committee named 'Pakt Senacki Prawicy' was also registered with the State Electoral Commission (PKW) by PiS MP Jerzy Materna and Confederation activist Krystian Pacholik.

“We want to convince the residents of Zielona Góra: anyone but Civic Platform! On our side, there cannot be five or ten candidates. That is why we decided not to put forward our own candidate.”

Vacancy left by Mirosław Różański

The by-election follows the death in August 2026 of Senator Mirosław Różański, a former general who held the seat since 2023 for Poland 2050 and later New Poland - Centre. District 20 encompasses the city of Zielona Góra alongside the surrounding counties of Zielona Góra, Krosno, and Świebodzin. Polish President Karol Nawrocki ordered the vote to take place on Sunday 22 November 2026, with polling stations open from 7:00 to 21:00. The governing coalition, which includes Civic Coalition (KO), The Left (Lewica), Poland 2050, and the Polish People's Party (PSL), agreed to maintain their joint Senate pact. On Monday 5 October 2026, Senator Jacek Trela submitted registration paperwork for the Coalition 15X committee, nominating Zdzisława Różańska, the widow of the late senator.

Additional candidates and tactical withdrawals

The electoral landscape features multiple challengers across the political spectrum alongside several tactical realignments. Tomasz Naruszewicz will run for the Confederation of the Polish Crown, led by Grzegorz Braun, whose party recently recruited the late senator's brother Daniel Różański. Sławomir Bładyko is seeking the seat for Nonpartisan Local Government Officials - Poland Connects Us, while former MP Joanna Senyszyn runs under the New Wave banner. Meanwhile, candidate Olimpia Tomczyk-Iwko withdrew her bid following discussions with conservative leadership. Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik, leader of the White-and-Red Movement that initially supported Tomczyk-Iwko, explained the move was intended to prevent vote splitting.

“Following talks held on the right, we decided on a tactical withdrawal from fielding our own candidate in these elections. We do not want to cause an unnecessary split of votes on the opposition side. We treat these elections as a pilot and political sparring before next year's parliamentary elections.”

Registration rules and parliamentary timeline

A total of 12 electoral committees were registered with the State Electoral Commission for the District 20 contest. Each committee must gather at least 2,000 valid voter signatures by 14 October 2026 to secure ballot access. Other registered groups include Nonpartisan Local Government Officials RP, Nonpartisans, Normal Poland, and Self-Defence. Because Polish Senate elections use single-member constituencies under a first-past-the-post system, the candidate who wins a plurality of votes will claim the seat. The victorious senator will serve the remainder of the current parliamentary term, lasting approximately 12 months until the scheduled 2027 parliamentary elections.