Polish Women in the Lead of Change: Rapid Rise of Right-Wing Views

Polish women’s and Poles’ as a whole political views rapidly change. Recent research conducted by the Nationwide Research Group (OGB) reveals a striking shift in political views among Polish citizens. According to OGB’s president, Łukasz Pawłowski, “Never before in our studies have we seen such a high percentage of people identifying with right-wing views.”

What’s even more surprising? The driving force behind this shift appears to be women.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

In February 2024, only a few months after the opposition won the parliamentary elections, 32% of Poles identified as right-wing, while 22% leaned left. This distribution reflected the political climate of that moment. However, just months later, during local elections, the numbers changed: 39% declared right-wing views, while only 18% remained left-leaning.

A similar pattern was observed during the European Parliament elections, with 38% supporting right-wing ideologies and only 18% identifying with left-wing views.

By January 2025, the numbers reached historic levels:

• 42% of Poles now identify as right-wing – the highest figure recorded by OGB in the last five years.
• Left-wing identification dropped to just 15% – the lowest in OGB’s recent research.

The Role of Polish Women in the Right-Wing Surge

Traditionally, men in Poland have been more likely to hold right-wing views, and that hasn’t changed. Among men, support for right-wing ideologies has remained stable at 45% over the past year.

The real transformation, however, is happening among women.

“In February 2024, women’s political views were almost evenly split between right and left,” Pawłowski explains. “But by January 2025, 40% of women identified as right-wing, while only 18% leaned left. This is the highest right-wing support among women in the history of our research.”

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Jeszcze nigdy w naszych badaniach tak wiele osób nie deklarowało poglądów prawicowych. Okazuje się, że największy na to wpływ ma zmiana poglądów kobiet w Polsce. Prawicowa fala nie omija naszego kraju, ale do tej pory miała ona twarz mężczyzny ograniczając poparcie dla takich… pic.twitter.com/OyApw3eKJ0

— Łukasz Pawłowski (@LukasPawlowski) February 24, 2025

Why Is This Shift Happening Among Polish Women?

The exact reasons behind this rapid transformation remain unclear. Some experts speculate that issues like immigration, international security, and economic stability might be influencing public opinion.

One thing is certain:

“The changing views of Polish women over the past six months have reshaped the country’s political landscape,” Pawłowski concludes.

Several factors may contribute to this trend. Here’s an exploration of potential reasons, grounded in the Polish context:

1. Reaction to Progressive Policies and Cultural Backlash

One possible driver is a backlash against progressive social changes, particularly around issues like abortion, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights, which have been heavily politicized in Poland. The right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, which governed from 2015 to 2023, implemented policies such as abortion restrictions in 2020, sparking massive protests led by women, especially younger ones.

However, while these protests mobilized many toward leftist or liberal views, they may have also polarized others. Some women, particularly in more traditional or rural areas, might perceive these progressive movements as threats to family values, religion, or national identity—values that PiS and other right-wing groups like Konfederacja have championed. This aligns with the “cultural backlash” theory, where conservative shifts occur in response to rapid liberal changes.

2. Economic and Welfare Incentives

PiS’s social programs, notably the “Family 500+” initiative (now 800+ as of 2024), which provides monthly payments per child, have been widely popular, especially among women. These policies appeal to mothers and families by offering tangible financial support, often framed as empowering “traditional Polish women” rather than the feminist ideals pushed by the left.

For many, this economic stability outweighs concerns about restrictive social policies, drawing women who prioritize security and family welfare toward right-wing platforms. Studies, like those from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in 2018, have noted that women in Poland supported PiS more than men in the 2015 election, partly due to such welfare promises.

3. National Identity and Security Concerns

Poland’s geopolitical position, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine since 2022, has heightened concerns about national security and sovereignty. Right-wing parties emphasize a strong national identity, border control, and resistance to external influences (e.g., EU policies or migration). Some women may align with these views, seeing them as protective of their families and way of life. Posts on X in early 2025 suggest a growing sentiment among Poles, including women, linking left-wing policies to crises like energy shortages or “climate ideology,” reinforcing trust in right-wing solutions.

4. Gender Dynamics and Traditional Roles

Despite Poland’s progress in education—where women outnumber men in universities—and workforce participation, traditional gender roles remain influential, especially outside urban centers. Right-wing rhetoric often glorifies women as caretakers of family and tradition, resonating with those who embrace or feel pressured to uphold these roles.

This contrasts with leftist or liberal platforms advocating for gender equality, which some women might view as irrelevant to their lived experiences or as undermining their societal status. The 2019 Kantar poll highlighted a split: while young women leaned liberal, older or less urban women favored conservative views, a trend that may be broadening.

5. Disillusionment with the Left and Political Polarization

The Polish left has historically struggled to unify and present a compelling alternative to right-wing dominance, especially after PiS’s fall in 2023. For some women, the left’s focus on issues like abortion or climate action might seem detached from everyday concerns like cost of living or job security.

Meanwhile, right-wing parties have effectively used media (e.g., state-controlled outlets under PiS) to frame themselves as defenders of “ordinary people” against elitist liberals. This narrative could appeal to women who feel overlooked by progressive agendas. CBOS data from 2021 showed a peak in left-wing views among young women (40%), but recent shifts suggest a possible reversal or widening conservative appeal.

Poland’s Political Future Shaped by Women?

Poland’s political shift is not just about numbers—it’s about a deeper societal change. If this trend continues, it could redefine political dynamics in the country for years to come. Is this the beginning of a long-term transformation, or just a temporary shift? Only time will tell. One we know for sure – Polish Women are the greatest and the most beautiful in the world! We will challenge everyone who opposes this view 🙂

 

Photo collage made thanks to Freepik