A debate in Horses? PiS sets the terms

upday.com 3 months ago

Zdjęcie: fot. PAP

Jarosław Kaczyński placed the conditions before the forthcoming presidential debate in Koński. The PiS leader pointed out that the event only makes sense if equal rules for all participants and the media are ensured. Otherwise, according to Kaczyński, the debate may harm the candidate of his party.

Jarosław Kaczyński spoke on the upcoming presidential debate to be held in Koński. The Leader of Law and Justice stressed that specified an event only makes sense if all media participates in it, and candidates can freely answer questions. In his opinion, without ensuring equal rules for all participants, the debate could harm the PiS candidate.

Question debate: Kaczyński wants fair terms

During a press conference at the PiS office at Nowogrodzka Jarosław Kaczyński referred to the planned debate between presidential candidates: Rafał Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki. The president of PiS pointed out that the date of the event – just after the anniversary of the Smolensk disaster on 10 April – is unfavourable, but the thought of a debate on "normal principles" is necessary.

Kaczyński announced that before the debate he would meet with Karol Nawrocki to give him political guidance. However, he added that it is simply a condition of success to guarantee equality in access to the media and questions, noting that otherwise "this could end badly" for the candidate of his party.

Reminiscing the Tusk Debate and Lesson for the Future

The PiS leader besides recalled his duel with Donald Tuski in 2007. He admitted that political debates were never his strong suit. He emphasized that in the past he felt unfairly treated in them – among others, by unfavorable drivers – which affected his image and assessment of appearances.

— “The debates were not my specialty... The leaders did not like me, you gotta look for neutral journalists” said Kaczyński. He besides added that in the 2007 debate he had a advanced fever, which, according to commentators, could have contributed to his defeat and subsequent failure of power by the Law and Justice.

Trzaskowski–Nawrocki: TVs ready, Mentzen reacts

Meanwhile, public attention focuses on a possible clash between Rafał Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki. Arrangements are ongoing on the details of the organisational debate, and the 3 major tv stations, TVP, Polsat and TVN, expressed their willingness to co-organise it. The method gathering is scheduled for Thursday.

Sławomir Mentzen, a Confederate candidate, besides responded to the situation as a whole, who remained 3rd in the polls. In an acute entry he accused Trzaskowski and Nawrock of cooperating in the political agreement: — "The strategy defends itself due to the fact that it sees that po-PiS duo can end" “ Mentzen said.

Back to 2020: a debate not held

It is worth recalling that it was in Koński that the 2020 presidential debate was to take place. At the time president Andrzej Duda invited Rafał Trzaskowski to visit her, but he did not appear at the event. In the opinion of many politicians and commentators, this decision could have affected the result of the election and contributed to the defeat of the KO candidate.

Kaczyński vs. Tusk and Gierty: “There will be no apology, there will be a fight”

During the press conference Kaczyński besides referred to fresh statements by Donald Tusk, who accused him of avoiding debate 1:1. In his reply, the president of the Law and Justice organization stated that Tusk was the 1 who "was causing war in Poland", and that he himself "could quit and have peace", but prefers to fight for values.

Referring to the connection with Roman Gierty in the Seym, Kaczyński left no illusions about his attitude: — “There will be no tears and my apology. It will be a tough fight against what the justice strategy is playing present in Poland" He said. He accused the current authority of subjecting the courts and administrative decisions made at political request. He announced that the "normal prosecutor's office" would someday settle these actions.