This is the second round of this fight. If we had won four years ago, there would have been no embarrassment in the international arena, huge inflation and medieval abortion law – said Rafał Trzaskowski during the Civic Coalition convention in Gliwice. He argued that “Poland needs acceleration” and the president cannot represent the interests of one party and “only flex his muscles in the gym.”
Rafał Trzaskowski began his speech by recalling the 2020 presidential campaign.
– Do you remember this atmosphere, this mutual kindness? These queues of Poles to sign their support for my candidacy? I will never forget it (…) Close your eyes, what would have happened if we had won then. There would be no embarrassment on the international arena, there would be no huge inflation, there would be no medieval anti-abortion law – said the KO presidential candidate.
– When we think about it, we wonder how much time was wasted. And we don't have time anymore, he said.
The Mayor of Warsaw stated that “the change must take place immediately.” – It's time for the second round of those elections. We have been saying for many months that we need to take the next step, to consolidate democracy. Ensure that the promises made then are fulfilled. I am convinced that we will do exactly that because we will win the presidential elections, he said.
“The president must think strategically”
The Civic Coalition candidate emphasized that Poland “needs acceleration.” – We will show not only determination, but also agency, because that is the most important thing right now. Trzaskowski returned to his slogan from four years ago. He noted that it is still valid.
– I believe in a Poland where an open hand can win over a clenched fist. I believe in a Poland that looks to the future in which the stronger will help the weaker, said the candidate.
He pointed out that the president should be “active” and “must think strategically.” – The government solves problems that are here and now, but we need long-term plans. The president cannot just flex his muscles in the gym, he cannot allow war. The president not only must inspire the government, but also must show initiative and be independent. He must be the president of all Polish women and men, not just one political party. One chandelier is not enough, because we need a whole battery of lights to illuminate the future – he noted.
Trzaskowski on “economic patriotism”
During his speech, the presidential candidate said that the three most important topics come back during talks with Poles: economy, security and equality. – This is exactly what this campaign will be about – he announced.
Rafał Trzaskowski emphasized the role of “economic patriotism” and announced “the end of naively understood globalization.” – We see increasingly assertive and even aggressive behavior of China, we see a barbaric attack by Russia. We must stop with the European Union's sterile discussions. Today we need pragmatism. The EU should be a power – its economy and agriculture. But what is even more important for us is for Poland to be a power, for our economy to be powerful, he emphasized.
The presidential candidate also criticized Law and Justice, which – as he assessed – in recent years had been “dealing with creating new elites and improving their fate” at the expense of the rest of Poles. – PiS has created a new caste of millionaires. And we must focus on the Polish economy and its competitiveness, he said.
Rafał Trzaskowski pointed out that the current priority is cheap energy. In his opinion, the actions of the right-wing government led to high prices. – Now we can no longer act only ad hoc, we need a long-term plan. We will build an atom, save energy and carry out an energy transformation. All this so that you can see it in your bills, the candidate emphasized.
Rafał Trzaskowski also said that “energy companies will take responsibility for energy prices.” He emphasized that “the burden of fees must not be placed entirely on the shoulders of entrepreneurs.” He also announced the creation of “distributed energy storage facilities”. – If someone has panels and the sun is shining, they must see it in their bills. We must ensure our independence, and to make this possible, we must reward the attitude of those who help us achieve this, said the mayor of Warsaw.
“No more politicization of the National Bank of Poland”
The presidential candidate also referred to the problem of inflation. From the podium he showed a report by the President of the National Bank of Poland, Adam Glapiński, “After the pandemic and the energy crisis. A success story.” After reading the title, laughter could be heard in the hall in Gliwice.
– My hands just drop. Fifty percent inflation in recent years, and the man who was most interested in his salary is talking about success. I'd like to send him a stick of butter. Ten zlotys for a stick of butter, President Glapiński caused this. I won't allow this, he thundered.
Rafał Trzaskowski said that “we need a strong zloty”. – The President of the National Bank of Poland wants to make loans more and more expensive before the elections in order to stop investments. He wants to stir up trouble because he only receives political calls from Kaczyński. Therefore, I am calling on the president of the National Bank of Poland to lower interest rates, he said.
The candidate said that Polish entities should be able to fight the largest giants in their industries. He pointed out that “there is no reason” why Polish entrepreneurs should give way to foreign businessmen. He emphasized, however, that this requires support, which entrepreneurs did not have.
– What are they telling us? They talk about the chaos in the tax system that changed from day to day, and even PiS couldn't understand it. That's why I emphasize – we need economic patriotism, support for Polish companies, strengthening them, and a clear tax system. And I promise you this, said the candidate.
Trzaskowski about farmers and the EU
Rafał Trzaskowski noted that he had been “on tour” for several weeks. He recalled that he had previously competed in the primaries with the head of Polish diplomacy, Radosław Sikorski. He thanked him for his fight and reminded him that the son of the Minister of Foreign Affairs had joined his staff. The candidate said that during meetings across the country he had the opportunity to talk to representatives of various groups – including farmers.
– Don't let anyone convince you that there is any dissonance between us, Polish consumers and farmers. We want to eat healthy Polish food, we are proud of it. This is also an element of our security, he said.
He stressed that “there cannot be a situation where the European Union tightens standards in the name of biodiversity and then opens its borders to goods from Ukraine or China.” – It cannot be that the European Union, wanting to acquire new markets, accepts agreements that threaten the interests of our farmers. There is an agreement, but there is no consent from the member states yet and there should not be such consent, he said.
Next, the KO candidate talked about “pride in Polish food”, mentioned, among others: white wine, which – in his opinion – is better than French wine.
– I even have such a slogan. Bonjour, drink Polish wine on special occasions, in moderation, of course – he noted, causing hilarity in the room.
The first convention after the nomination of the candidate
Saturday's convention is the first major event of the Civic Coalition since Rafał Trzaskowski officially became a presidential candidate, defeating his opponent, Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski, in the primaries.
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Even before it was known which of them would perform in Gliwice, the place itself was associated with Trzaskowski, whose wife comes from Silesia. This week, the politician said that the location was not accidental – in this context, he pointed to the challenges related to the economy and transformation.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk also spoke during Saturday's convention. Wioletta Paprocka-Ślusarska, the head of Trzaskowski's staff, also spoke, who also headed the KO staff, among others. in last year's parliamentary elections.
Main photo source: Jarek Praszkiewicz/PAP