PSL loses one MP, gains another

MP Mieczysław Baszko left the Polish People’s Party (PSL) and joined Alliance grouping led by Deputy PM Jarosław Gowin (part of Law and Justice ruling coalition). After his decision, PSL was down to 14 MPs and would lose its caucus status reserved for parties with at least 15 MPs. PSL avoided that fate as Union of European Democrats (UED) MP Michał Kamiński announced his decision to join the party. The leader of UED Elżbieta Bińczycka (not an MP) called this move “a help in a sudden situation” and the party will decide during its assembly planned for January 27 whether to cooperate further with PSL as “strong integration of opposition is necessary.” With Kamiński leaving, UED currently has 3 MPs, all former members of Civic Platform (PO). Kamiński is a political globetrotter having been a member of six political parties, including both PiS and PO, before joining PSL.