Parliamentary elections 2023. Former president Alekander Kwaśniewski about the election campaign and voting on October 15

During an interview in “Fakty” TVN, former president Aleksander Kwaśniewski was asked whether the election campaign ending in a few hours was, in his opinion, the harshest and most brutal after 1989. “Definitely yes,” he replied.

– This is a campaign that is unfair due to the advantage that those in power have, both financial and resulting from the support of State Treasury companies and the concept of combining the referendum with the elections – he pointed out.

He also said that “the referendum seems to be a legal way of co-financing the PiS election campaign.” – I am not talking about public media, which are completely run by PiS, so it is difficult to talk about equal elections – he added.

The former president noted that the time will come to evaluate the campaign, but what is already striking in his opinion is that the past campaign was “the most brutal campaign.” – It was a campaign where PiS particularly focused on social polarization, it divided us even more, and we were already dramatically divided before this campaign – he recalled.

He said that the campaign was also “extremely energetic” in his opinion. – The number of direct meetings, all conventions, was huge and there is some hope there – said Kwaśniewski.

He emphasized that on October 15, a “truly historic choice” would be made. – We often compare whether these are elections like those in 1989, on June 4. Those ended a very long, 45-year era of PZPR rule, but these elections are also historic, because if they lead to a change, it will actually be one that will be written in the books, because it is a change between a further path to a deepening democratic deficit, or even honestly and directly, authoritarianism or a return to democracy – noted the former president.

– I think people feel the importance of these elections. The historical context is quite clear and hence the commitment, he explained. Kwaśniewski also assessed that “opposition parties have done a colossal job.” – I’m full of admiration – he admitted.

SEE ALSO: Special website “Parliamentary elections 2023”

During the conversation, Kwaśniewski was asked about the results of the latest Kantar poll for “Fakty” TVN and TVN24, according to which the largest number of voters – 31 percent – want to vote for Law and Justice, in second place is the Civic Coalition, which can count on support at the level of 26 percent , and Trzecia Droga closes the podium with support at the level of 12 percent. The next places are: Nowa Lewica (11 percent) and Konfederacja (8 percent). The survey was conducted on a group of 1,702 adults.

After converting into seats, it follows that the Civic Coalition, Third Road and New Left can count on a total of 250 seats, and PiS and Konfederacja – on 209. The absolute majority is 231 seats.

– As a veteran, I will say one thing: I trust Kantar and I would like these polls to come true, but they are just polls. The most important thing is what will happen on Sunday. I put the polls aside. The most important thing is to go to vote on Sunday, vote for the democratic opposition party of your choice, according to your closeness of views. This won’t be any surprise. I will vote for the Left, said Kwaśniewski.

He appealed for the survey to be “an inspiration.” – This is not an electoral result. This is a survey, he emphasized. – The worst thing would be if someone believed that the matter was actually settled. Nothing is settled. This election is a close call in my opinion. And that is why we vote, we vote for the democratic opposition party, we do not take part in the referendum, we ask to write: “no referendum” and then we have a chance to open the door to a better future – he said.

– When I was the head of the Olympic Committee in Seoul in 1988, I said that you can’t open champagne after someone won a gold medal. This must be done when the results of the anti-doping control come in – added Kwaśniewski. He repeated that “mobilization is the most important thing today.”

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