In fresh days, the Polish political scene has been dominated by controversy about the presidential debate in Koński, held on 11 April 2025. This event, broadcast by major tv stations, was intended to present candidates for the highest office in the country. alternatively of a substantive discussion, however, this debate has become the origin of many questions about its organisation and financing, especially regarding the engagement of Rafał Trzaskowski's staff.
According to the National Election Office spokesman, Marcin Chmielnicki, the State Election Commission (PKW) intends to address the issue of financing the debate after examining the accounts of the electoral committees which must be submitted within 3 months of the election date.
During the debate, TVP reported that it was organised by the electoral committee of Rafał Trzaskowski, and public tv plans to hold a debate on all candidates in May.
Law and Justice politicians expressed doubts about the financing of the debate, demanding that the station supply invoices to the election committee of the candidate for the civilian Coalition. PiS MP Andrzej Sliwka announced that TVP could commit a crime in liquidation, consisting of illegal financing of Rafał Trzaskowski's campaign.
On the another hand, a associate of Trzaskovsky's staff assured that the committee had organised the debate in Konski, had invoices, and all costs would be included in the electoral committee's accounts. He besides stressed that the transmission of the debate took place on the same rule as the transmission of the convention or the candidate conference.
It is worth noting that this debate was not the only event of this kind on that day. In parallel, there was a debate organised by tv Republic on the marketplace in Konski, in which 5 candidates participated. The second debate, broadcast by TVP, TVN and Polsat, was held in the sports hall and brought together 8 candidates, including Rafał Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki.
The controversy surrounding the debate in Koński prompted the president of the National Broadcasting Council, Maciej Świrski, to ask PKW to examine and measure whether the debate was organised in violation of the law. Swirski argued that not all candidates had a chance to take part in the debate and prepare for it properly, and that it was aired earlier than the prescribed 2 weeks before the election.
Rafał Trzaskowski, referring to the allegations, pointed out that there were no rules governing the conduct and financing of the pre-campania. He stated that if he goes somewhere as president of Warsaw, they are business trips, and if the journey is not related to doing this function, he pays for it himself.
In the context of these events, it is worth asking about transparency and equality in access to the media for all candidates. The debate in Koński, although aimed to present candidates' programs to voters, became a origin of controversy and accusations of unfair practices. The final resolution of these issues will depend on the results of the analysis of the financial statements by the PCW.
In the meantime, public opinion remains divided and assurance in public institutions and the media can be undermined.
