Yesterday's events in Koński are an perfect example of how to make a political debate a show worthy of provincial theatre. Rafał Trzaskowski, alternatively of facing a real political confrontation, decided to direct the event in which he played the lead role, but the audience did not even get the show.
Trzaskowski invited only Karol Nawrocki to the debate. The remainder of the candidates? Silence. No invitations, no information that will happen. Szymon Hołownia commented briefly but accurately: “You can’t defend the thought of this debate.” A performance was created alternatively of a debate.
Uninvited candidates organized their own event on the market. tv Republic, tv Trwam, in Poland24. Password: “Everyone is gone”. And indeed – there was no host of the debate.
The debate took place in the sports hall. It was rented by AM Studio from Warsaw. TVP washes hands. Documentation? Who paid? For what? Adrian Zandberg dropped the suspicion: “This could be a run tour.” And while Trzaskowski avoids answers, questions multiply.
Subject: Security. Nawrocki starts hard: “Trzaskowski had no courage to come to the debate.” He's besides accused of excluding the media. Trzaskowski replies: “The main debate is on 12 May. You were afraid to become one-on-one, I regret, hard.”
On migration – even more interesting. Krzysztof Stanowski inserts a pin: “The Rafal version, which is anti-immigrant, has drawn today. I am glad we agree." Nawrocki adds: “Until late he supported the release of illegal migrants”. Trzaskowski does not deny, but he does not answer directly.
Stanowski didn't halt there. During subsequent exchanges, he accused Trzaskowski of deficiency of consistency and instability of views: “Every time Trzaskowski changes his opinion, I request to make certain that he does. It's like watching an actor who can't decide what movie he's playing. erstwhile drama, erstwhile comedy, and sometimes tragedy.”
Karol Nawrocki did not bite his tongue either: “It is not just about the views, but about the credibility. erstwhile he was Minister of European Affairs, he signed papers that promoted the openness of borders. And now? He scares migrants. This is not a change of opinion, this is simply a calculation for polls.”
Nawrocki continued: “Mr. Trzaskowski presents himself as a man of dialog and does everything to avoid discussion. This ‘debate’, or alternatively a one-sided performance with an audience without the right to vote, is mocking voters.”
Stanowski added: “This is simply a political doctrine – not to answer, but to broadcast. Turn on the headlights, set up the cameras, play a role. The problem is that this is not a show plan, it is simply a presidential election.”
The most media minute of debate: Karol Nawrocki hands the rainbow flag to Trzaskowski. Comment: “You are moving distant from this symbolism”. Trzaskowski: “Tani grab” and... puts the flag on the ground.
Riposta? “You are obsessed with gays. Kaczyński fears Europe, gays and rodeo." Magdalena Biejat takes over the flag and says, “I am not ashamed of it.”
Question about the first abroad visits. Trzaskowski: Paris, Washington, Mons. Sounds like a advanced school tour plan. Nawrocki throws in the Vatican, Jakubiak – Polonia. Stanowski goes on: Maldives. due to the fact that “they go under the water, you gotta hurry.” Maciak: “I don’t know. Let anyone who wants come to me.”
TV Republic and tv Trwam could not enter. Nawrocki: “Part of public opinion excluded”. Trzaskowski corresponds in general. Why organize a debate that cannot be seen?
Trzaskowski wanted the debate his way. Show's out. Avoid a clash. PR without content. Debate without debate.
And that's what will be remembered. A candidate who doesn't like confrontation. Who invites the chosen and puts the flags on the ground.
Who won? The 1 who didn't play the Trzaskowski Theatre. Who lost? The 1 who set him up.
Quotes will stay, flags were, questions too. But the answers? Empty. The horse was expected to be the center of discussion. They were just a scene for 1 actor.
For the future: If you want to have a debate, invitation everyone. Or anyone.
