We agreed to speak with Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during the march, but I don’t regret that it didn’t happen; the most important thing was what people had to say, Szymon Hołownia, the head of Poland 2050, told PAP. Many people stopped our leaders and they did not arrive in time – added Dariusz Klimczak (PSL).
On Sunday, a march organized by the PO and its leader Donald Tusk crossed Warsaw in protest against the current government. The march was attended by the leaders of the main opposition groups: PSL chairman Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, head of Poland 2050 Szymon Hołownia and New Left leader Włodzimierz Czarzasty.
Tusk confirmed
Szymon Hołownia, who was asked by PAP on Sunday whether his failure to speak during the march had previously been agreed with organizers, said both he and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz received a text from Donald Tusk on Saturday or Friday confirming that both were able to give a speech during the march.
After which our staff members contacted each other because it really was a huge logistics undertaking. We agreed that when everything was formed, we would break through in that direction. We didn’t have time to get on stage, the more people were already clamoring to go. President Lech Wałęsa even “backfired”, people were already tired. We tried to break through on this bus, but we didn’t break through
he reported.
We had an appointment to speak. However, we were defeated by the best thing about democracy, namely a lot of cool, enthusiastic people. I’m sorry we haven’t spoken. I believe this is such a day, such a march, that it should be about people and not about politicians. Politicians have a whole year to talk. And here the most important thing people had to say was to show. Do I regret it then? No, absolutely not, I thought it was good that there were two speeches less and that people had more space for themselves. It was their vacation
he noticed.
PSL Vice President Dariusz Klimczak also assured that “Both Szymon Hołownia and Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz would speak on the march.” But, he added, “the number of people we met on the way to the place where we were to speak was so great that we didn’t get there in time.”
Many people stopped our leaders, whether for a moment of conversation or to take a picture together. And so it turned out that Rafał Trzaskowski was already speaking when we arrived – and we were to speak at the beginning. So we focused on talking to people. The media was also around us, so there were no communication problems, no disappointments either
– said Dariusz Klimczak.
As he noted, Hołownia and Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that they would join the march.
The idea is higher, we wanted to show that the opposition in matters such as the rule of law, the struggle for democracy is together and in difficult moments, when the law is made against the democratic opposition, we are united against it. We wanted to show that we are together – and whether we speak at some point of the march – it didn’t matter, people saw it anyway, we had our message
– emphasized the PSL politician.
This initiative was not about lists, it was about collectively demonstrating resistance to rules that could threaten the equal start of all those who want to present their electoral offer to the Poles today. For us, the most important thing was that whether we spoke to a PO voter or a widely understood KO voter, or whether we met a man who got there with no party colors, these encounters were enthusiastic and inspired us with hope
Klimczak added.
When Szymon Hołownia was asked by the PAP if he would consider changing his mind after the Sunday march and running together on one opposition list, he denied this.
There won’t be one list. We will not participate in it. The matter is very clear to us: either us or the Confederacy. If the Confederacy, then the PiS government for the next term. If we, as the +wise third party+, have a democratic government in Poland
he stressed.
According to Hołownia, it was the coalition of Poland 2050 and PSL, formed this spring, that caused the Confederation’s support to decline in pre-election polls.
We will follow this direction. Not just because we think Confederation shouldn’t happen, but because we have a vision and want to do things. This is the choice I’ve talked about about twenty times today with those who have come and asked why not one list – precisely because we can’t take the risk
– added the head of Poland 2050.
PiS and PO are too weak today either of them to build a sufficient majority to govern. What’s the conclusion? The platform does not go beyond its 25 percent. (recommendation). I want it to be 30%. PiS can’t beat its 35 percent. None of them will form a government, there is no such possibility, so what will happen – a coalition government. Well, the question now is who the Poles will choose as a coalition partner. I have no doubts about who to choose
said Holownia.
Bitter words for Hołownia
When asked if “bitter words” were said to him during the march in connection with the lack of support for one list, he confirmed that he had been asked why his group did not agree to start in this form.
When some people shouted “one list”, we shouted “one Poland”, and then the conversation started. Because it’s always the case that someone goes out first and sings something, we descan it. But if at some point we start smiling at each other, then a normal Polish conversation starts right away. I explained to everyone why not one list, why it’s not a good idea. Let’s make two lists, let’s reorder, but let’s not make one list, because it means what we’ve already seen in the polls – a huge danger that PiS and its coalition partners will grow
he answered.
Hołownia assured that he came out of each of the conversations held during the Sunday march with the belief that “even if we didn’t understand each other, we heard each other”.
It was worth doing. It really doesn’t have to be that everyone in Poland has the same opinion as Hołownia. I don’t want such a Poland. I want us to be as different as possible
he assured.
When asked if he had heard anyone accuse him of “breaking up the opposition” during the march, he denied this.
I have not heard such voices. It would be a completely absurd remark for someone who only connects the opposition. Because we are the party, together with PSL, who made the first connection on this stage and built the coalition. Everyone talks about unity, unity, strength, and we succeeded, so now we encourage others to follow suit
– said the leader of Poland 2050.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce