Plummeting in the presidential polls, Szymon Hołownia has become a major problem for the December 13 coalition. The rotating Speaker of Parliament is no longer an asset to Tusk’s camp but rather a burden, as he risks siphoning off a few crucial percentage points from Rafał Trzaskowski in the upcoming presidential elections. With its finger on the political pulse, TVN24 has therefore called on Hołownia to step down from the race.
The latest poll by the state-run CBOS is far from encouraging for Hołownia. According to the survey, Rafał Trzaskowski currently leads with 35%, followed by Karol Nawrocki at 23% and Sławomir Mentzen at 21%. Hołownia, meanwhile, has garnered only 5% support.
During TVN24’s program W kuluarach (Behind the Scenes), journalist Konrad Piasecki pointed out that a “high-ranking politician from the Third Way” reportedly stated that “if Szymon Hołownia’s poll numbers remain as they are, the Third Way will seriously consider pulling him out of the race.” Piasecki emphasized that the party is facing a political deadlock.
According to Piasecki, Hołownia could consider an “honorable exit” by withdrawing from the presidential race and remaining Speaker of Parliament. This, however, would go against the coalition agreement made between Civic Coalition, Third Way, and The Left, which stipulated that Hołownia would be replaced by Włodzimierz Czarzasty halfway through the parliamentary term. But, as Piasecki quipped, “what wouldn’t one do for the sake of democracy?”
Hołownia may have little choice in the matter. If he runs in the presidential election and performs as poorly as the polls suggest, it could spell the end of the Third Way. Not only would he fail to win the presidency, but he might also find himself unwanted in his current role as Speaker.
TVN24 reporter Agata Adamek echoed this sentiment, suggesting that a disastrous election result for Hołownia could lead to the collapse of the Third Way. “If Szymon Hołownia takes a serious hit in the election, the party will likely fall apart,” she warned.