Mayoral transfer in Sieradz

Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on 5 September 2026 that Paweł Osiewała, the president of Sieradz, joined the Rozwój Plus association. The announcement took place on the Sieradz market square, with European Parliament member Waldemar Buda and Sejm deputy Paweł Rychlik attending the joint conference. Morawiecki stated that local leaders joining his group will collaborate on a dedicated development strategy for medium-sized municipalities, with the policy package scheduled for publication in several weeks. Morawiecki explained that he first met Osiewała five or six years ago during a meeting at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, where more than 30 city presidents gathered to present local investment needs.

“There was no politics there, no partisanship. There was only talk about investments and about what is most important for cities like Sieradz.”

Strategic focus on medium-sized municipalities

The initiative focuses on regional centers that experienced economic contraction following Poland's 1999 administrative reform, which dissolved Sieradz's status as a provincial capital. Morawiecki cited demographic statistics indicating that 30% of Poland's population lives within the 25 largest cities and their suburban rings, leaving 70% in regional hubs and 1,026 other municipalities. The program aims to invest in towns such as Sieradz, Zduńska Wola, Łask, Wieluń, Wieluszów, Burzenin, Błaszki, and Warta to encourage university graduates to remain in or return to their hometowns. Morawiecki stated that postal codes should not determine economic progress and development must extend beyond major metropolitan centers.

25 largest cities and metropolitan rings30%

Remaining towns and smaller cities70%

25 largest cities and metropolitan rings

30 %

Remaining towns and smaller cities

70 %

Data from the article text

Osiewała explained that Sieradz previously secured more than 100 million zlotys for local municipal infrastructure under the Polski Ład program. He described Morawiecki's "Polska jednej prędkości" project as the decisive factor in his decision to join Rozwój Plus.

“Back then we were already heard, that exact call from local government officials. Thanks in part to this, Sieradz made an infrastructure leap. Over 100 million zlotys went to us for various investments.”

Osiewała's political trajectory and local network

Osiewała has led Sieradz since 2014, when he won election as the head of the non-partisan Solidarne Miasto Sieradz committee. He retained his office in 2018 with political backing from Law and Justice, joined the Bezpartyjni Samorządowcy movement in 2023, and secured a third mayoral term by taking 55.82% of the second-round vote against Civic Coalition candidate Michał Pabich. In March 2026, Osiewała received an appointment to the Local Government Council advising the President of Poland. Local news outlets reported on Osiewała's ties to Rozwój Plus in August 2026, when he framed the organization as a platform for independent local officials and voters dissatisfied with the sitting administration.

Rozwój Plus has brought in multiple local officials across Poland, including Tomaszów Mazowiecki President Marcin Witko and municipal leaders from the Zagłębie Miedziowe copper mining basin. Witko, a former Law and Justice member, joined the group after being expelled from his party following the removal of a party-aligned district starosta.

Parliamentary strength and national campaign tour

Rozwój Plus operates as the third-largest grouping in the Polish Sejm with 40 parliamentary deputies, positioning the association to transition into a formal political party. Former National Movement leader Robert Winnicki told Wprost that expanding right-wing divisions complicate future governing coalitions, arguing that an alliance among Law and Justice, Morawiecki's circle, Confederation, and Grzegorz Braun's party would face internal leadership battles. To prepare for upcoming elections, Morawiecki announced in a letter to supporters that Rozwój Plus will launch a nationwide tour on 15 October 2026. The initiative involves nearly 400 meetings across large cities and small towns to gather local input and formulate the party's electoral program.