Aleksandra Pawlicka, an employee of the soon-to-be-dissolved public broadcaster TVP, criticized the format of Rafał Trzaskowski’s debate. She took issue with allowing a larger group of candidates to participate in the discussion. “Suddenly, an entire peloton of what you might call ‘plankton’ or third-tier politicians crashes in,” she said.
“Ms. Biejat and Mr. Hołownia—so, how does it feel? Billions for clean water instead of sick children. And yet, you’re still plankton and third-class,” one social media user wrote on December 13, addressing politicians from the coalition.
Debates in Końskie
Two electoral debates took place on Friday in Końskie. One—open to the public—was organized in the town square by TV Republika in response to a closed-door meeting prepared by Rafał Trzaskowski’s campaign. That second event was held in a sports hall and was accessible only to three TV stations and, in principle, to a single opponent—Karol Nawrocki.
The open debate hosted by TV Republika included Karol Nawrocki, Marek Jakubiak, Szymon Hołownia, Joanna Senyszyn, and Krzysztof Stanowski. During this open meeting, Trzaskowski announced that he was willing to debate the other candidates as well.
In response, all participants from the first debate made their way from the town square to the sports hall, where the closed-door event was taking place.
Pawlicka: “Suddenly, an Entire Peloton of Plankton Shows Up”
The fact that Rafał Trzaskowski, at the last minute, invited more candidates to participate in his debate apparently displeased Aleksandra Pawlicka, who works for TVP in liquidation. She referred to Trzaskowski’s opponents as “plankton” and “third-tier politicians.”
“It was supposed to be: ‘We’re showing my main opponent, I’m going to face off against him.’ And suddenly, an entire peloton of so-called plankton, or third-tier politicians in polling terms, just shows up,” she complained.
A user on the social media platform X had a strong reaction to Pawlicka’s words, addressing Magdalena Biejat and Szymon Hołownia:
“Ms. Biejat and Mr. Hołownia—how does it feel now? Billions for clean water instead of sick children. And you’re still just plankton and third class.”
Reports suggest that similar opinions were expressed on the TOK FM radio station.
“Candidates who have no chance only get in the way during debates […] It doesn’t serve democracy […] Public media are in a difficult position because they have to invite all the candidates,” Professor Maciej Mrozowski allegedly said on the air.
Krzysztof Stanowski, one of the candidates, responded:
“The rules of democracy don’t serve democracy. We need to limit democracy to protect it,” he wrote.