Poland’s main rightwing opposition splits after loyalty pledge ultimatum

Mateusz Morawiecki said his group ‘until the very last moment fought for the unity of the party’. Photograph: Radek Pietruszka/EPA

Poland’s main opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party has split, after former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his allies said they were forced out over factional disagreements on policy direction ahead of next year’s parliamentary election.

Speaking at a press conference, the party’s longtime leader, Jarosław Kaczyński, said dozens of members of parliament effectively left the party after refusing to sign a loyalty oath.