The statement issued by TVP in liquidation regarding the debate of Trzaskowski’s campaign team in Końskie is scandalous and demonstrates a lack of understanding of how television operates in a democratic world, writes the president of Telewizja Republika, Tomasz Sakiewicz.
On Thursday, at the headquarters of TVP in liquidation, representatives of the election campaigns of Karol Nawrocki and Rafał Trzaskowski, as well as three television stations—TVP, Polsat, and TVN—held a meeting. Representatives of Telewizja Republika and WPolsce24 were denied participation. The two stations were also prevented from co-hosting the debate in Końskie.
No agreement was reached during the talks. It appears, however, that one was concluded afterward in a smaller group—at least that is what can be inferred from the statement by TVP in liquidation.
Tomasz Sakiewicz, the president of Telewizja Republika, reacted immediately.
“The statement by TVP in liquidation regarding the debate of Trzaskowski’s campaign team in Końskie is scandalous and shows a lack of understanding of how television functions in a democratic world,”
he wrote.
He added that Telewizja Republika is ready to take part in the debate on equal terms.” “Providing the broadcast feed without having any influence over the course of the debate would be an attempt to deceive viewers into thinking this is about something other than party propaganda,” the statement reads.
TVP: “Televisions have reached an agreement on the debate scenario”
Later in the afternoon, the public broadcaster unexpectedly released a statement indicating that an agreement had been reached—outlining the debate guidelines and naming the moderators. There is no sign of Telewizja Republika or WPolsce24 participating.
Below is the full text of the statement:
“The television networks have reached an agreement regarding the rules of the debate before the presidential elections. They emphasize that they are not the organizers of the debate and that the broadcast feed will be made available to interested media outlets.
The moderators of the 2025 pre-election debate will be:
– Joanna Dunikowska-Paź (TVP S.A.),
– Grzegorz Kajdanowicz (TVN 24),
– Piotr Witwicki (Polsat News).*
Debate Rules:
- Debate venue: Końskie.
- Debate duration: approximately 90 minutes.
- Debate title: “Pre-Election Debate 2025.”
- Live broadcast of the debate: TVP1, TVP Info, TVN 24, Polsat News, Polsat News Polityka.
- Thematic blocks: security, foreign policy, economy.
Structure of the 2025 Pre-Election Debate
During each segment, each of the three journalists will ask two identical questions to both candidates. The time allotted for asking the question is 30 seconds, and the time for answering is one minute. The order of answers will be determined by drawing lots.
After the three thematic blocks, we propose a round of mutual questions. Each candidate for the Office of President of the Republic of Poland will have the opportunity to ask their opponent three questions. The time for asking each question is 30 seconds, the time for an answer is one minute, and the time for a rebuttal is 30 seconds. The order of these mutual questions will also be decided by drawing lots.
At the end of the debate, each candidate will have 2 minutes to summarize their performance—an open-ended statement.
The candidates and their representatives will not know the questions prior to the debate.
The candidates’ speaking times will be measured and displayed visually. The end of a speaker’s allotted time will be signaled by a “gong” sound effect.”