In a commemoration of the 14th anniversary of the Smolensk disaster, Szymon Hołownia, the Marshal of the Polish Sejm, sparked controversy by inadvertently omitting the names of President Lech Kaczyński and his wife, Maria Kaczyńska, among the victims. The omission prompted immediate outcry from members of the Law and Justice party, with cries of “scandal” echoing through the chamber.
During the opening of the parliamentary session, Hołownia read out the names of the victims, observing a moment of silence in their honor. However, a voice from the assembly reminded him of the absence of the former president and his wife.
As tensions rose, Michał Wójcik of the Law and Justice party stepped in to read out the names of all the victims, emphasizing the national tragedy that occurred 14 years ago. Wójcik’s action highlighted the importance of honoring all victims irrespective of political affiliations, urging for unity in remembrance.