It will certainly be a campaign that will polarize and divide society very much – said Dr. Anna Materska-Sosnowska about the upcoming presidential campaign in “Fakty po Faktach”. According to prof. Ph.D. Anna Pacześniak's campaign may not be substantive, but “exciting and interesting”. In turn, prof. Andrzej Rychard said that if Karol Nawrocki says that he “doesn't think anything” about the Romanowski case, it shows that “he is disconnected not only from the party, not only from politics, but also a little from reality.”
The guests of Thursday's “Fakty po Faktach” were prof. Ph.D. Anna Pacześniak – political scientist and Europeanist from the University of Wrocław, Dr. Anna Materska-Sosnowska – political scientist from the University of Warsaw and prof. Andrzej Rychard – sociologist from the Polish Academy of Sciences.
They discussed, among other things, the upcoming presidential campaign, which may start in mid-January. National Electoral Commission issued a position according to which the Speaker of the Sejm may order presidential elections on January 15 at the earliest. The election campaign will start when the Marshal's decision is published.
What will the campaign be like?
Prof. Ph.D. Anna Pacześniak believes that the campaign “will definitely not be calm, but very exciting and interesting.” – I would like it to be substantive, although there is little indication of this – said the expert.
Dr. Anna Materska-Sosnowska also believes that the campaign will be based on emotions, not on the president's competences. – It will certainly be a campaign that will polarize and divide society again, because two large camps in particular rely on it. There is not much room for third candidates or a female candidate, said Dr. Materska-Sosnowska.
Prof. Pacześniak: I would like the campaign to be substantiveTVN24
Prof. Andrzej Rychard assessed that “emotions in politics are a commodity, to put it brutally.” – He said this campaign would be emotional, not thrilling. (…) Emotions will be present and Poles will be guided by these emotions to a large extent, he said.
He also pointed out that Poles are already used to inciting emotions during the election campaign, which is why they are to some extent “immunized” to it. – People know that they (presidential candidates – ed.) will try to buy us with various emotions. But not everything that politicians want to sell, people must necessarily buy – added prof. Richard.
Nawrocki “is a serious competitor”
The candidate of Law and Justice, who is officially presented as a “citizen” candidate, is the president Institute of National Remembrance Karol Nawrocki. Prof. Ph.D. Anna Pacześniak said that “it is clear that Karol Nawrocki is fighting for recognition and even on his days off he wants to be seen in a completely non-political outfit, for example at the gym.”
– I think it is a very serious competitor – said Dr. Anna Materska-Sosnowska. She pointed out that Nawrocki's recognition is growing. She also stated that calling Nawrocki a “civic” candidate is intended, among other things, to “show the boy next door who not only the Law and Justice electorate can vote for.”
“Nawrocki is a serious competitor”TVN24
Prof. Rychard: Nawrocki is disconnected not only from the party, not only from politics, but also a little from reality
Prof. Andrzej Rychard, in turn, pointed out that “at some point, at least part of the electorate will start to ask themselves what they do after leaving the gym.”
– At some point, questions about what he does after leaving the gym will be asked and then saying that he is leaving the party will not be enough. And he is too detached from politics in general. If he says that he doesn't think anything about Mr. Romanowski – on this political topic, which may also be a topic for the future president – then he is thus disconnected not only from the party, not only from politics, but also a little bit from reality – said prof. Richard.
In turn, the candidate of the Civic Coalition Rafał Trzaskowski “he is less of a mystery than Mr. Nawrocki” – says prof. Materska-Sosnowska. – He is more battle-tested, so he knows what his advantages and disadvantages are. We know what kind of candidate he is. In fact, it is a difficult task for the election staff to come up with something to surprise – said Prof. Materska-Sosnowska.
Main photo source: PAP/Wojtek Jargiło