There may inactive be a debate present with 2 elected candidates taking part in this year's presidential election. 2 politicians with the top support according to the polls would be involved: Vice-President of the Civic Platform Rafał Trzaskowski (who besides initiated the event) and Karol Nawrocki. The debate is planned to be conducted jointly by journalists of TVP, Polsat and TVN.
Where are the another candidates?
On Wednesday, the talker of the Sejm Simon Holownia, another candidate in the upcoming presidential election, referred to this information. In his social media, politicians powerfully criticised the thought of organising a debate involving only 2 candidates by TVP, setting this as a serious violation of democratic principles. He besides announced that his staff would search the invitation of all candidates seeking the office of president to the debate in Koński.
On behalf of Szymon Hołownia Jacek Cichocki, chief of staff of the leader of Poland 2050, wrote to the board of TVP. In addition to requesting the invitation to debate another candidates seeking the office of President, there were besides allegations of violation of the law.
According to Article 120(1) of the Electoral Code, tv Poland has a work to hold debates between all candidates. This work means that public tv does not have the right to hold debates with only any candidates, even if there was to be a debate with all candidates afterwards. Organising the debate only with elected candidates for president is simply a gross violation of Article 127.1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and Article 287 of the Electoral Code, which ensures that the President's elections are equal, i.e. those in which all candidates are treated equally - We read.
Cancellation of elections
A akin position was expressed by the political scientist Prof. Antoni Dudek in an interview with RMF FM. He pointed out that omission of any candidates could violate the electoral code, which in turn could lead to many protests and even undermine the validity of the elections themselves. He stressed that although this is an utmost scenario, it should be seriously considered.
On private television, who has the right to invitation whomever he wants, would be no problem. But here we are talking about public television, which has a circumstantial task of presenting all candidates. In this respect, I support the position of Simon Holownia – added Prof. Dudek.
