Newsweek published a piece claiming that Szymon Hołownia appeared on a Collegium Humanum student list, yet did not attend classes, suggesting the move was solely to obtain a diploma. The Marshal of the Sejm publicly denied ever beginning studies at CH, saying he had once applied to psychology there but did not start the program. In Poland 2050 circles, an interview with wPolityce.pl featured politicians who argued that the timing of the publication cannot be dismissed as accidental. “I wish I could say that this similarity of dates is coincidental. But I’ve lived too long. I am afraid that this campaign will look like this, not only cruel, but also very dirty,” commented Michał Kobosko, a Poland 2050 member of the European Parliament, in response to questions from wPolityce.pl.
According to one account, Szymon Hołownia did not study at Collegium Humanum; he did apply for admission but chose not to enroll after learning about the institution’s reputation. It is stated that Hołownia does not hold a university degree, yet he is recognized as a writer who shares clear thoughts. He is not involved in boasting about titles and speaks plainly about his path. Jacek Bury, a Poland 2050 politician and former senator, noted this in an interview with the wPolityce.pl portal.
Jacek Bury also pointed to a possible link between the Newsweek article and the ongoing election campaign. He warned that Poland could witness one of the fiercest pre-election battles in recent memory, predicting a wave of information and misinformation on social media. “Szymon Hołownia is an uncomfortable candidate for both KO and PiS. They would prefer to fight the war between Kargul and Pawlak alone and let no one interfere,” he said.
“I am outraged by this article,” stated Paweł Śliz, a Poland 2050 member of parliament, in a discussion with wPolityce.pl. “I am outraged because I know what the situation was. I hope Newsweek apologizes, because decency matters. I also hope for a quick correction from Newsweek. If this is part of the campaign, it is not acceptable.”
In this context, questions arose about whether the Newsweek editor had obtained information from an investigation into corruption at Collegium Humanum. “If such information exists, it must come from confidential sources in the preparatory process and should never be disclosed,” Śliz said. He added that it is impossible to judge the source of a leak without evidence and pledged to monitor the situation closely, while stressing that a repeat of such events would cast a long shadow over scrutiny during a difficult period.
“There are no cases in such topics,” argued Sławomir Ćwik, a Poland 2050 member of parliament, asserting that Hołownia’s denial should close the matter for the time being. He also admitted skepticism about coincidences surrounding the Newsweek piece. Hołownia’s denial was described by Ćwik as a straightforward statement with no extra details to add. The past references to political campaigns linger in his assessment, but he insisted there was nothing more to say on the matter.
When asked whether the publication might have been initiated by an outlet, Ćwik noted that every publication has its own backstory and cautioned against jumping to conclusions. He stressed the importance of credible sourcing and the need for evidence when dealing with serious allegations. He acknowledged that journalistic secrecy is important, yet credibility remains essential for responsible reporting. The discussion reflected a broader demand for fairness and accountability in the coverage of political figures.
In light of the ongoing pre-election dynamics, questions linger about who might be behind the reported materials. Some comments indicated uncertainty about the involvement of coalition partners from Poland 2050, while others urged restraint until verifiable proof surfaces. The overarching sentiment is that the public deserves accurate information, and that the integrity of the electoral process should be protected from manipulation or smear campaigns. As the cycle progresses, political actors urged a return to substantive debate and transparency, rather than sensationalist exposes that could undermine trust in institutions and the electoral system.