A political figure or a celebrity? The Marshal of the Sejm, Poland 2050’s leader, appeared on the New Year’s Eve edition of “Dzień Dobry TVN,” visiting his former colleague Marcin Prokop, with whom he once co-hosted the show “Got Talent!” The head of the Sejm received a “golden button” as a gift and joked about MPs during the broadcast.
The Chairman of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, was a guest on the New Year’s Eve edition of the morning program. He spoke about the early days in his new role, how he is working with members of parliament, and what he views as the biggest challenges facing the Marshal. Students from a Warsaw high school also asked questions live in the studio.
This summary was shared on the Sejm Chancellery’s profile on the X platform.
Was it all serious or not? The tone suggested a blend of candor and humor.
Hołownia on the record: a future return to Got Talent is off the table
During the conversation, Marcin Prokop asked whether Hołownia might consider returning to his former TV role. Hołownia replied that it depends on how long he remains active in politics. He added that politics should not be a lifelong vocation, describing his current term as the most sensible course at this stage.
Hołownia joked about his own work as a public figure, calling himself a “rotary mower” in a lighthearted moment. Deputy Marshal Zgorzelski’s folksy wisdom was cited as a reminder that a reaper can function as a rotary mower and not a marshal. He suggested that if all goes well, he will serve for two more years and that this two-year period feels liberating because it won’t stretch into four years, nor into a lifetime. The two-year horizon, he said, is a period granted by life, by people, and by Poland, during which he hopes to perform well. He noted that future challenges may still arise, but they should remain bounded in time.
Hołownia reaffirmed that he will not return to “Got Talent!”
He also quipped that the breakfast host’s plan for nothing would be a misreading of the situation.
He remarked that his team would handle much of the parliamentary agenda, and that he would step back and let colleagues from the party he founded take over, while he contributed in a different capacity.
In summary, Hołownia highlighted a pragmatic approach: focus on effective work in the Sejm, while acknowledging the evolving dynamics within his party and the broader political landscape. The exchange also touched on light-hearted moments, including weather jokes that slipped into the program’s rhythm.
Sejm sessions on YouTube
The Marshal of the Sejm answered questions from young people from a Warsaw high school during the TVN appearance. One question concerned the YouTube signal badge, the so-called golden button, as a symbol of recognition in the platform ecosystem.
Hołownia noted that the recognition is possible and that the milestone to gold could come sooner than expected. He recalled a past moment when MP Błaszczak shouted from the podium that a silver button might be preferable to weightier matters, and he countered that a silver button remains valuable because a Sejm should be accessible, visible, and engaged with ordinary citizens rather than confined to backroom discussions. He stressed that public interest in this chamber should be genuine and enduring, not sealed away in a kitchen cupboard and pulled out only every few years.
The Marshal also commented on the growing viewership of Sejm sessions on YouTube, noting that the chamber has become the most-watched in Europe by this metric. He acknowledged both the positive aspect of increased democratic participation and the potential risk of theatrics overtaking substantive discourse, especially when peak moments resemble reality entertainment more than legislative accountability.
Hołownia described the attention as a signal of democracy in action, while also cautioning against letting showmanship overshadow serious deliberation.
The golden button, the “hatch,” and commentary about MPs
The gift from Prokop and Dorota Wellman—a golden button—was described in playful terms. Prokop joked about tucking the button under the pillow and not being small enough to fit in a toy scenario. The moment sparked a playful strategy in which the Marshal teased MPs, hinting at a possible demonstration from behind the stage if tensions escalated during proceedings. The idea was presented in a light, humorous context, with an eye toward ensuring the mood in the chamber stayed constructive and focused on governance.
Hołownia reflected on this moment as a double debut: serving as Marshal of the Sejm and sitting as a member of parliament. The broader question remained: is it appropriate to mix satire with parliamentary conduct, given that the Sejm is the legislative heart of Poland and not a television talent show?
Source: wPolityce