New, better rules
The debate began at 6 p.m. and distinguished itself by 2 features that were vain to look for in erstwhile specified meetings of presidential candidates. First, it was attended by all thirteen candidates. Secondly, the way it was carried out was rather different from conventional meetings of this kind.
The rules of the event assumed that the presidential candidates themselves had been asked and answered. Neither did any journalists participate in the debate. The full was divided into 2 rounds: in the first candidates asked questions and reposted, and in the second presented summaries and their visions of presidency.
Which are the most memorable moments?
Selfie versus "highest chances"
The first interesting situation occurred at the beginning of the debate, erstwhile Sławomir Mentzen ostentatically decided to make himself a "selfie" with Marshal Simon Holovnia. This was a clear mention to the widely criticized situation erstwhile the leader of Poland 2050 was caught taking pictures with a telephone while visiting the Vatican. The lobby then explained that it was not a ‘selfie’, but a photograph depicting the crowd.
At a later stage, Holovnia decided to choose Mentzen to ask him a question. There's no deficiency of biting here either, this time the another way.
Why, if we do not want Tusk to proceed to regulation Poland, to win Trzaskowski, should we vote for you due to the fact that you have the best chance of winning with him in the second round? He asked the Holovnia, referring to the erstwhile debate on tv Republic, erstwhile the Confederate leader repeated the phrase "highest chances" on all occasion.
If almost all the studies show that I have a better chance in the second circular than the another candidates, then if individual doesn't want Rafal Trzaskowski to win, they should want that I would be the 1 to be with him in the second circular so that I can win with him there. Mentzen replied.
Holovnia stated that Mentzen's regulation would origin chaos in the state.
Braun about Israel
Another controversy was related to statements by Grzegorz Braun. The MEP, answering a question by Adrian Zandeberg about the declaration on Putin's crime, expressed his opinion that Poland is not bordering Israel, which he defined as a judaic state located in Palestine. In his opinion, the policy pursued by the Israeli authorities could be a threat to Poland. He besides added that Israel is presented to Poles as a strategical ally and pillar of Western values in the mediate East.
During the debate, Grzegorz Braun besides addressed his comments to Rafał Trzaskowski from the Civic Coalition, criticizing his participation in commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Trzaskowski's reaction was to cut off from this message and to leave the talker early.
Braun then turned to Sławomir Mentzen, asking him about the alleged "Judaization problem" in Poland. Mentzen considered that Braun overestimated Israel's role, although he himself sees its disproportionate impact on the global arena.
In the following part of the debate, Braun asked Karol Nawrocki, supported by the Law and Justice, if the planned deportations would besides include Ukrainians brought in earlier by the politicians of this party.
Ms Biejat expressed her opinion on Braun and his answer to Zandebrog's question. Called by Mark Woch.
Before I answer that question, I will only say 1 thing. It is outrageous that you are allowed to let specified an anti-Semitic sewage as Mr Braun presented at the beginning of this debate to pass in this studio without an echo. These are scandalous words and they should never take place in public debate. There is absolutely no excuse to usage anti-Semitism and xenophobic texts.
Maciej Maciak. Pro-Russian candidate
During her tour, Joanna Senyszyn addressed the question to Karol Nawrocki. It afraid safety issues. During his reply, attention was drawn to the behaviour of another associate Maciej Maciak. The cameras recorded him reaching into his pocket, pulling out his phone, looking at the screen, then receiving the call and talking for a moment. Journalists wondered who called the candidate.
But it seems that this was not the most important, although actually this kind of declaration Matiak presented in Koński. Marek Jakubiak asked the candidate of the Prosperity and Peace Movement about the pro-Russianism attributed to him. Matiak stated that these accusations came from attempts at political gain by building an anti-Russian narrative. He further expressed his appreciation for Vladimir Putin, justifying his ability to operate under strong pressure, which he felt was politically effective.
Rafał Trzaskowski later referred to these words in his own reply, including Jakubiak's question:
Let me respond due to the fact that what we just heard is unbelievable. I mean, at the minute erstwhile Putin murders people, murders children, allows rapes in Ukraine, right now applauding Putin, I'm truly something I've never seen, I think we all agree on at least 1 thing here.
During his answer to the question of Karol Nawrocki Szymon Hołownia from Poland 2050 turned unexpectedly to Maciej Maciak, ironically welcoming him in Russian. Jakub Stanowski besides pointed out Matiak's pro-Russian sympathies, but he judged that it is not so that he alone has them, but simply that he is the only 1 speaking of these sympathies directly.
Massive attack on Trzaskowski. But not only
The debate began with strong criticism of Rafał Trzaskowski by Adrian Zandberg, who accused him of failing to implement election promises and duplication of erstwhile actions. Later exchanges between Sławomir Mentzen and Trzaskowski focused on migration policy, showing clear differences in approach to safety and integration. The tension between Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki on political independency was besides an crucial point in the debate.
Trzaskowski questioned Nawrocki's independence, suggesting his association with the management of PiS and Antoni Macierewicz. Nawrocki reiterated, emphasizing his civic character of candidacy and independency in decision-making despite the party's authoritative support. Trzaskowski continued his criticism, accusing his rival of political dependence and deficiency of work for the effects of the ruling policies.
In his final speech during the debate, Adrian Zandberg powerfully criticised the dominance of the Civic Platform and Law and Justice, accusing them of conducting a devastating political war that he felt was distracting from the real problems of citizens, specified as access to wellness care, advanced housing prices, or favouring the banking and improvement sector. He stressed the request to change the political class and expressed religion in the anticipation of building a fair, modern Poland based on modern technologies and strong economical foundations.
Abortion. Biejat vs Mentzen
One of the more emotional passages of the debate was Magdalena Biejat's question to Sławomir Mentzen on the right to abortion, especially in the case of rape-related pregnancies. Biejat appealed to the drastic case of a 14-year-old girl with intellectual disabilities who suffered sexual violence.
Mentzen considered specified situations to be acquittal, while at the same time shifting attention to migration policy, which he linked to the emergence in sexual crime. He besides criticised current abortion regulations, recalling an example from Oleśnica.
Mentzen's statements met with Biejat's sharp reaction, which accused him of deficiency of empathy and ruthlessness towards victims of violence.
Stanowski's moving appeal
Krzysztof Stanowski decided to usage his time not only to criticize the current wellness policy, but besides to appeal for aid to 1 of the sick girls whose peers sent a package with the laurels to Channel Zero. The girl needs PLN 3 million to undergo complicated treatment due to Retta syndrome.
I have a folder with letters from preschoolers who ask me to save their friend due to the fact that the Polish wellness service has no money for her. We raised almost 2 million zlotys in 2 days, but that shouldn't be my role.
Immediately after, Stanowski decided to criticize the current Minister of Health:
I am amazed that the Minister of wellness is simply a Polish language teacher from primary school. A weak pulse of Polish wellness protection is supervised by a teacher, and children must compose to me to rise millions for treatment.
