Actor Daniel Olbrychski, known for his support of the Civic Platform (PO), appeared on the soon-to-be-dissolved TVP Info and made disparaging remarks about voters who supported President Andrzej Duda. In his view, those who voted for Duda were “ugly people, nationalists, and fascists.” Olbrychski also criticized the Church, which, according to him, “acted as if it were defending the values of backwardness” after the Law and Justice party (PiS) came to power in 2015. “Mr. Olbrychski should leave the stage — not in the spotlight, but in the shadow of shame,” commented internet users.
Olbrychski’s “Message of Love” on Wysocka-Schnepf’s Program
Dorota Wysocka-Schnepf, a prominent figure on the now-defunct TVP Info, hosted Daniel Olbrychski on her show. The actor, long known for his public support of Civic Platform, also voiced his opinion on the Church’s actions following PiS’s rise to power in 2015.
“The Polish Church played a deeply negative role — not for the first time since the restoration of democracy. […] This once-great Church acted as though it were defending the values of darkness and ignorance. That pains me greatly,” he declared.
The program also touched on alleged “election fraud,” as claimed by Roman Giertych and the “Silni Razem” (Strong Together) movement. Olbrychski stated, “We voters have the right to know whether our votes were manipulated,” and revealed that he had personally filed an election protest, encouraging others to do the same — as Giertych had advocated. He also criticized Civic Platform’s coalition partners.
“I had the impression — and not only I — that the first round of the election was like a match: Rafał Trzaskowski versus the rest of the world. The coalition partners, driven by their inflated ambitions, mostly attacked Rafał, who had to maneuver very politely — and did so skillfully — but lacked support,” he said.
“Ugly People” — Olbrychski on Duda Voters
Olbrychski went on to harshly criticize voters who had supported President Andrzej Duda. His words were particularly controversial.
“Undoubtedly, the march toward a beautiful, proper, and beneficial path for Poland is being hindered. Ten years ago, Andrzej Duda narrowly won, and I can’t shake the thought that he won with the votes of Polish fascists, because he accused Mr. Komorowski of not being a patriot for apologizing for the Jedwabne massacre. That shameful accusation, I believe, led to a mass vote by very unattractive, ugly people — Polish nationalists and fascists,” Olbrychski stated.