Fed up with what he sees as an outdated and broken political system, former Law and Justice (PiS) minister Dawid Jackiewicz has stepped into the spotlight with a bold new initiative — the launch of Ambitna Polska (Ambitious Poland), a political party he hopes will shake up Poland’s entrenched political duopoly.
Jackiewicz, once in charge of the State Treasury and currently a Member of the European Parliament, had his eyes on the presidency this year. He gathered more than the required 100,000 signatures to officially enter the race. But things didn’t go as planned — the National Electoral Commission tossed out his candidacy, citing signature irregularities ranging from minor slip-ups like city name abbreviations (“Wawa” instead of “Warszawa”) to more serious concerns such as outdated national ID numbers and alleged signatures from the deceased.
Slamming the system as “archaic,” Jackiewicz didn’t mince words. “Candidates are left blind,” he told Salon24. “We have no way of verifying the signatures ourselves — we just have to trust people and hope for the best. Then we’re blamed when something doesn’t check out. It’s absurd.”
He’s now pushing for modernized solutions — specifically, a digital overhaul that would allow citizens to verify their support via secure tools like the mObywatel app. To Jackiewicz, the technology is there — what’s missing is the will to update the system.
But the former minister’s frustrations go beyond bureaucracy. He’s also taking aim at the current presidential race, which he calls a “circus of empty promises.” In his view, leading candidates Rafał Trzaskowski (KO) and Karol Nawrocki (PiS) are toeing the party line, more interested in winning votes than offering real, pragmatic leadership. “Poles deserve a truly independent president,” he said. “Not someone who parrots their party’s script.”
That’s where Ambitna Polska comes in. Jackiewicz says the party isn’t about stirring ideological battles — it’s about tackling real-world problems. “We’re done with moral grandstanding. This is about economic growth, cutting red tape, and helping Polish entrepreneurs thrive,” he stated.
The party aims to appeal to voters stuck in the middle — those disillusioned with the ongoing tug-of-war between Civic Platform and PiS. According to Jackiewicz, over half of Poles are ready for something new, something more focused on competence than theatrics.
He’s already in talks with figures from the business world, NGOs, and local governments, building what he calls a “coalition of action.” And while his presidential run may have been cut short, he’s not backing down. “My mission isn’t over,” he said. “Politics is about persistence. You keep pushing until you break through.”
Jackiewicz also urged everyday citizens not to sit on the sidelines. “Despite the flaws of the system, we all need to stay engaged. Real change starts when people show up.”
