The Friday presidential debate organised by Rafał Trzaskowski's staff in Koński caused rather a stir, mainly due to the way it was financed and possible violations of electoral regulations. Despite the controversy, there are many indications that the Citizen Coalition candidate will not face serious consequences.
The debate took place in the sports hall and was attended by 8 candidates: Magdalena Biejat, Szymon Hołownia, Marek Jakubiak, Maciej Maciak, Karol Nawrocki, Joanna Senyszyn, Krzysztof Stanowski and Rafał Trzaskowski. It was run by journalists from 3 major stations: TVP, TVN and Polsat. Although from the outside the event resembled an impartial public debate, its organizer was the Trzaskovsky staff, which raises questions about equal opportunities and financial transparency.
National Election Commission reacts
The State Election Commission is looking at the case. As 1 of her representatives says in an interview with money.pl, PKW intends to ask additional questions and analyse the committee's financial statements. The problem may be, among another things, the failure to designate the event as electoral material and possible illegal financing between committees.
However, experts reduce emotions – they think it will be hard to show serious violations, and even if they did, the consequences will be alternatively symbolic. Possible failure of financial benefits to the State Treasury is involved, but only if a circumstantial abuse is demonstrated.
No real sanctions?
Unlike parliamentary elections, there is no mechanics in the presidential run to reimburse run costs in the form of subsidies or subsidies that could be revoked. Therefore, as the politicians of the ruling coalition remind us, the possible consequences for Trzaskovsky or his staff will be limited.
However, this case shows a wider problem with the vague rules on agitation and transparency of run funding. Without clear rules and consistent enforcement, further controversy is only a substance of time.
