The EC does not quit the thought of a circular table on elections!

news.5v.pl 2 months ago

The European Commission does not quit its thought to organise a alleged circular table in Poland before the presidential elections. EC spokesperson Thomas Regnier reported that Brussels is ready to discuss this subject if Donald Tusk's government concludes on this issue.

European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier reported at the press briefing in Brussels that the EC is inactive open to discussions about organising the alleged circular table before the presidential elections in Poland, provided that the Polish authorities request it.

On the question of journalists whether the EC plans to cooperate with the Polish authorities in order to combat the disinformation of elections, as it worked with the German authorities before the parliamentary elections there, Mr Regnier stated that the EC is inactive declaring its willingness to do so.

However, the Ombudsman pointed out that, as regards the procedure for organising a circular table or pre-election ‘test stress’, i.e. simulcasting elections, this is done at the request of national authorities and with the engagement of national digital service coordinators in the associate States where the elections are held or are to be held.

Berlin called for a circular table before the February parliamentary elections in Germany. The Romanian authorities besides asked us to do the same. If Poland so requests, we will be happy to participate

said the EC spokesman.

The alleged circular tables, i.e. voluntary meetings with representatives of the European Commission, the authorities of the state where elections are held, representatives of online platforms and another stakeholders, including social organisations, are organised routinely before the elections in the associate States. They give participants the chance to exchange information on the readiness to vote, possible problems before elections and cooperation with authorities, experts and civilian society organisations.

The EC organised circular tables before, among others, the already mentioned elections in Romania, Germany, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Austria and the European Parliament.

The subject of the circular table in March sparked controversy in Poland after EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen said in an interview with “Deutsche Welle” that the EC was considering organising a circular table besides by presidential elections in Poland. These reports were criticised by the opposition, and PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński accused the European Commission of wanting to "breach the elections in Poland".

In early April, the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs reported that it did not plan a circular organization before the presidential election. The hotel besides indicated that the NASK has the top competence to respond to misinformation and that interior procedures for incidents have already been established.

The presidential elections will be held in Poland on 18 May, and their possible second circular will be held on 1 June.