The Third Way, the grand political coalition, is now history. PSL and Polska 2050 have announced that they will run separately in the next elections. We check how much of their joint agreement was delivered and what it means for voters.
The End of the Third Way – A New Chapter on the Political Stage
The Third Way, an alliance of PSL and Polska 2050, was meant to be an alternative to the two largest political blocs. After their joint success in the 2023 elections, the paths of the two parties diverged. Leaders stress that the parting took place amicably, but the decision to run independently in the next elections has already been made.
We accept with understanding and gratitude the decision of the National Board of our coalition partner PSL to effectively end the Third Way project. Understanding, because we agreed on a series of four elections. Gratitude, because we mutually kept our commitments, and loyalty and trust are fundamental in politics. The National Council of Polska 2050 has been convened for 28.06. There we will once again confirm our determination to constructive cooperation with our partners in the fight to „unlock” state companies, truly public media, affordable and accessible housing, and the digital safety of our children. In the renewed government of the 15.X Coalition we will be advocates of bold development. And the prospect of running independently in the next elections gives us today a sense of sincere political joy. – Szymon Hołownia
Decyzję Rady Naczelnej naszego koalicjanta @nowePSL o faktycznym zakończeniu projektu Trzeciej Drogi, przyjmujemy ze zrozumieniem i wdzięcznością. Zrozumieniem, bo umawialiśmy się na serię czterech wyborów. Wdzięcznością, bo obustronnie dotrzymaliśmy wzajemnych zobowiązań, a…
The 12 Guarantees of the Third Way – What Did They Promise?
The joint programme agreement of PSL and Polska 2050, known as the „12 Guarantees of the Third Way”, covered key reforms and concrete commitments. These are the most important points of that agreement:
A simple and stable tax system
Voluntary ZUS social insurance for micro-firms in crisis
6% of GDP for education
Shorter queues for specialist doctors
Family PIT – the larger the family, the lower the taxes
Elimination of pay gaps between women and men
Food security and support for farmers
Green energy and environmental protection
Personal assistants for people with disabilities
Affordable housing and the „Dormitory for One Zloty” programme
Decent salaries in public service
A modern army and support for the Polish defence industry
Gwarantujemy inwestycje. Gwarantujemy koniec epoki rozdawnictwa i marnotrawstwa. Poznajcie 12 gwarancji Trzeciej Drogi, nasz program dla nowego demokratycznego rządu. #TrzeciaDroga@PL_2050@nowePSLpic.twitter.com/FIVo2GY0nc
According to official summaries from the Third Way leaders, some key postulates were implemented or their implementation began within the government formed after the 2023 elections:
Record education budget – spending on schools was increased and teachers’ salaries were raised.
Civil service pay rises – raises were introduced for public sector employees.
In vitro funded from the state budget – funding for the in vitro procedure was restored.
Limits on logging and timber exports – new regulations protecting forests were introduced.
New nursery places – programmes were launched to increase access to childcare for the youngest children.
Support for farmers – a deposit system for food imports from Ukraine was introduced and support for farm modernisation was increased.
Delivery of the 12 Guarantees of the Third Way
Guarantee
Delivery status (2024/2025)
Simple tax system
Under legislative work
Voluntary ZUS for micro-firms
Consultations, no law yet
6% of GDP for education
Budget increased, goal in progress
Shorter queues for doctors
Pilot, partial delivery
Family PIT
Not implemented
Elimination of pay gaps
Actions started
Food security
New regulations, farmer support
Green energy
Investments in renewables, laws in progress
Personal assistants for people with disabilities
Pilot programme
Affordable housing, „Dormitory for One Zloty”
New funds, programmes launched
Decent salaries in public service
Pay rises introduced
Modern army
Partial delivery
What Next for PSL and Polska 2050?
Both parties declare continued cooperation in government, but they will go to the polls separately. For voters, this means greater choice, but also the risk of votes being fragmented. The future of the Third Way shows that even ambitious alliances may be only a stage in a political journey.
The breakup of the Third Way is an important moment on the Polish political stage. Although not all points of the joint agreement were delivered, many of them already work or are being implemented. PSL and Polska 2050 are entering a new phase – separately, but carrying the baggage of shared experiences and commitments.
Tomasz Kamiński, redaktor serwisu DigitalNexus.pl. Zajmuje się tematyką show-biznesową i rozrywką. Ukończył dziennikarstwo i medioznawstwo na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim. W wolnym czasie gra w gry, jest fanatykiem Call of Duty. W temacie gier pisze od 2008 roku.
