Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Marcin Kierwiński spoke during the Firefighter's Day celebration at Piłsudski Square in Warsaw. The way he sounded raised questions about his condition. In a conversation with a TVN24 reporter, the minister explained that the “terrible echo” was to blame. The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration later announced that he had undergone a breathalyzer test and published the result on X.
– I wish you will always have pride in your hearts for service, pride in what you do. May you have faith and belief in your hearts that your work is appreciated, rewarded and, above all, respected – these were the words of Minister Marcin Kierwiński addressed to the participants of the Firefighter's Day celebration, which took place on Saturday at Piłsudski Square in Warsaw.
The minister's speech sparked comments. Kierwiński spoke at a slow pace.
Marcin Kierwiński explains the unusual behavior during the speech TVN24
Marcin Kierwiński about his speech
In a conversation with a TVN24 reporter, the minister explained that in the square where the celebrations took place, “there was a terrible echo from the microphone.” – There was probably a hardware error, which caused a bad effect – said Kierwiński, apologizing for the situation.
Comments appeared on the Internet questioning the minister's sobriety. – Any insinuations are one big scandal – he said. He added that he did not rule out “taking legal action” after “carefully reviewing some of the entries.”
Kierwiński said that “it is natural that (opponents) will try to build their political narrative on this lie.” – After all, this is one big lie. If a minister were to be dismissed because he had a problem with the sound system during his speech, many people in Polish history would have to be dismissed. In this case, the technology failed, the sound system failed, and any attempts to add untrue things to it are simply shameful, he maintained.
When asked by a TVN24 reporter whether he would be willing to undergo a breathalyzer test to prove that he was sober at the time, Kierwiński replied that “he has no objections, but he will not do it because it makes no sense.” The minister justified that he was a “serious man” and “would never come to this type of celebration under the influence of alcohol.”
Kierwiński publishes a breathalyzer test
Kierwiński, however, went to the police station, where he was breathalyzed. “Before you pass judgment, listen to my statements that I gave to the media after the speech. Moreover, I immediately went to the police station, where I was breathalyzer tested. Result = 0.0 (per mille – ed.)” – he wrote on the X platform (formerly Twitter ).
He repeated that “what happened at the celebrations was due to technical issues and reverberation.”
Marcin Kierwiński during the celebration of Firefighter's Day PAP/Radek Pietruszka
Celebrations in Warsaw
During the celebration of Firefighter's Day, which took place at Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw, participated by President Andrzej Duda with Agata Kornhauser-Duda, as well as Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia.
During the ceremony, promotion to the first officer rank in the State Fire Service took place, and the president awarded state decorations to State Fire Service officers.
The celebration was preceded by a solemn Holy Mass. in the Cathedral of St. Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Florian Męczennika celebrated for the firefighters of the State Fire Service and the Volunteer Fire Department as well as the newly promoted State Fire Service officers and their families.
Main photo source: PAP/Radek Pietruszka