Małgorzata Zych described an unusual situation after her removal from the Senate election list. She had already gathered signatures, yet she was told she would not be a candidate from any group within the Senate Pact. She attributed the decision to what she described as pro-Bander circles in Poland.”
The PSL candidate had to condemn Putin as a war criminal
In the upcoming race, Zych was set to run in the 54th district, supported by the PSL as part of the Senate pact, representing Stalowa Wola in Podkarpacie. In the 2019 elections, she exited the Confederation list, and until recently led the Confederation Club in Tarnobrzeg. She previously worked closely with Grzegorz Braun and helped organize the conference Stop Ukrainization of Poland in Tarnobrzeg.
During a Tuesday event at Campus Polska Przyszłości in Olsztyn, PSL President Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz was asked why individuals who cannot label Vladimir Putin a criminal remain on the lists of the democratic opposition. Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that if Zych did not clearly condemn Putin for his actions in Ukraine, she would not be their candidate.
In response, Zych issued a statement on Wednesday declaring Putin a war criminal and condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The statement asserted that the crimes committed by Russia make Vladimir Putin responsible for the aggression, demanding accountability and punishment for those involved.
She emphasized the gravity of the crimes and the need for accountability in her remarks.
Zych’s remarks were noted by observers, and a related article highlighted her condemnation of Russian actions while also referencing the broader political controversy surrounding her candidacy.
Other coverage reported that Zych later appeared at a PSL convention in Rzeszów. In an interview, she recalled learning that she would not be running for the Senate, and she expressed regret over the turn of events. Her statements on social media were no longer visible on all platforms at the time of reporting.
Analysts and readers were invited to consider the implications of a candidates’ removal from the slate and the possible internal dynamics within the PSL and allied groups.
Controversy and accusations of external influence
Zych said that the factions she believed were behind the campaign against her were associated with Action Democracy. She also cited cooperation with Euromaidan Warszawa, describing it as a Ukrainian organization operating in Poland.
She expressed disappointment at the situation but noted the importance of the moment when she served as a candidate. She asserted that the PSL had placed its trust in her, while suggesting that external pressures influenced the decision from the pro-Bandera milieu in Poland. She argued that such pressure affected those who advocate for commemoration and historical truth regarding events in Volhynia.
Asked about future collaboration with the PSL, Zych indicated optimism. She emphasized her family’s long-standing ties to the party and her alignment with its program and values.
Notes on foreign influence and public reaction
In a social media post, Zych suggested that her removal from the Senate slate was a sign that Poland’s electoral campaign was influenced by foreign interests. The post referenced a controversial claim about a blood transfusion from Poles to Ukrainians, and she indicated that such dynamics shaped the political landscape.
Observers were reminded that the broader political context includes debates over candidate selection, party strategy, and how public statements shape perceptions of national memory and foreign policy alignment.
Source material for this coverage includes reports from Polish news agencies and coverage compiled by media outlets that tracked the sequence of events surrounding Zych’s candidacy and the PSL’s internal decisions.