Kurski is preparing to return to TVP. Karol Nawrocki: “Over my dead body”

In Polish politics, 1 short conviction causes so much resonance, but Karol Nawrocki did so without hesitation.

“Over my dead body” – he wrote in consequence to the words of Jacek Kurski, who announced his return to Polish Television.

This message immediately became 1 of the hottest subjects of the day. However, this is not just about individual animosities. In the background, there is simply a more serious question: is it possible to have a real reset in public media if the faces of the past are inactive knocking on the door?

The erstwhile TVP president one more time recalled himself in a kind that many considered provocative. On a video released by TVP Info, he says to the camera:

“I will come back to you, dears. I'll come back to you, darlings, on TV. Be very polite” – says Kurski, waving to the camera in a red cap with “Nawrocks 2025”.

The hat with Nawrocki's name only increased the reading of political malice. The reactions were rapid. Kurski, although not serving today, is inactive emotional and can impose narrative. But this time he found resistance.

Karol Nawrocki did not explain himself, he did not soften his tone, he did not effort to stay neutral. His answer was short, public and unambiguous:

“Over my dead body...”

Thus, he cut himself off not only from Kurski himself, but besides from everything his name symbolizes – from the kind of management of TVP, which for many was the embodiment of violent stubbornness and collapse of journalism standards.

Jacek Kurski was president of Polish tv from 2016 to 2022. During his term, the public media were completely subordinate to the interests of the ruling party. Information was replaced by propaganda and journalism – organization loyalty.

During his time “News” TVP became a regular newsletter of government successes. The criticism of power was absent, opposition – demonized. The hallmark of this period became alleged horror strips: short slogans at the bottom of the screen, frequently manipulating facts or straight insulting political opponents.

Examples?

‘Tusk agent of Berlin’
“Trzaskowski destroys Warsaw”
"Total opposition wants chaos"

Kurski did not hide that his goal was effective propaganda. His cynical message became widely known:

“The Dark People Will Buy It”

In his time, many experienced journalists left TVP, who did not accept ideological dictatorship. They were replaced by people willing to follow orders. The amusement sphere was besides politicized – concerts and festivals resembled organization raves, with a pushy symbolism and message.

There were besides financial scandals. Under Kurski, TVP was receiving billions of dollars from the state budget. There was talk of "subscription compensation", but it was actually a direct political drip. Kursks became the face of abuse and propertyation of public space.

Today, the announcement of his return – even a half - raises concerns that past can happen again. That's why Nawrocki reacted harshly. By building a presidential run on the slogan of changes and a “new beginning”, he cannot afford Kurski's shadow in the background. It would be a blow to credibility.

Although they both come from the same political environment, their paths are diverging today. Nawrocki puts distance to the past. Kurski – seemingly – wants to defend this past or even reconstruct it.

Much indicates that this year's presidential run will be a clash not only with the opposition, but besides with the interior conflict for the direction in which the erstwhile camp of power is to go. Nawrocki tries to build an image of a leader who draws conclusions from mistakes. Kursks remind us of what power looked like erstwhile no 1 drew these conclusions.

“Over my dead body” is not just a ripost. It's a political statement. If Nawrocki wants to win, he has to prove that he truly broke up with the past. And Kurski is the most expressive symbol of this past.