The discussion in Sosnowiec centered on whether the current government should be held to account for alleged wrongdoing, including harm to people, losses of property, and other infractions. The Civic Platform leader argued that repairing the harm requires compensation for those affected by government actions, and that accountability is a prerequisite for any future reconciliation. He emphasized that settlement and restitution should be pursued for those harmed by the authorities in recent years.
In addressing the polarized political climate, the Civic Coalition leader urged a measured approach: reconciliation is desirable, yet he cautioned that broad consensus may take time to build and cannot be announced prematurely. He suggested that the public mood and political realities must be taken into account before declaring progress on reconciliation.
During a session in Sosnowiec connected to the Campus Academy — a nationwide program for education, training, and mentoring that brings together young people, politicians, and experts — the Platform leader spoke about tempering the emotions that divide society while maintaining accountability for past actions. He stressed that reconciliation should not excuse any wrongdoing.
He asserted that responsibility for evil deeds, theft, and loss of life must be addressed. If reconciliation is to become a practical outcome, it will require a balance: acknowledging harm while working toward broader remedies and reforms. He warned that those responsible must answer for their actions, and that reconciliation should not shield wrongdoers from scrutiny.
The politician described Poland as being at odds because some political forces have turned conflict into a strategy for power. He warned that violence and contempt can manifest daily and that evil is not a vague concept but a real, ongoing phenomenon in society. While not labeling every PiS voter as complicit, he argued that the PiS formation has relied on harmful rhetoric that expands its influence by exploiting strong emotions.
In discussing electoral strategy, the Platform leader said victory in elections was a prerequisite to implementing reforms that would prevent the rise of harmful forces. He expressed a preference for defeating opposition factions before enacting rules designed to curb their power, arguing that winning the election was essential to creating genuine change.
Contemplating the harsh tone often heard in Polish political discourse, he attributed the rhetoric to a fundamental clash of values. He disagreed with the notion that all parties share equal responsibility for the brutality of public language, noting that some actors actively drive such trends while others oppose them. He described personal discomfort with the current climate and vowed not to abandon the fight even as it grows exhausting.
He underscored that the day-to-day experience of people includes pervasive slander across government media, and he pledged to resist the notion that everyone bears equal fault. He insisted that truth remains on the side of those who expose wrongdoing and reject outright excuses for harmful conduct.
The leader reflected on perceptions in Poland that cultural strength, intellect, and sensitivity should not be dismissed as weakness. He argued for a robust defense of democratic values and the need to safeguard the public’s world view against forces that would erode culture and civil society.
When asked about the Confederation’s role, the Platform leader suggested that the party would not be the dominant force it once seemed to be, and he noted an implied, unofficial understanding between PiS and the Confederation. He described the Confederation as a political maneuver by Kaczyński to reclaim space that PiS had lost, remarking that nationalist and liberal rhetoric could be used to sway voters. He urged a sincere, pragmatic response to this development, while recognizing the potential threat it posed to democratic norms.
He cited controversial slogans attributed to a Confederation spokesperson about Poland’s future without taxes or certain groups, using them to illustrate the strategic framing some parties apply to win support. He urged Democratic parties to balance principled stances with practical political judgments, arguing that it is possible to stay true to core ideals while navigating the realities of the political arena.
In closing, he urged readers to stay engaged and vigilant, noting that political discourse often spirals toward extremes. He emphasized the need for responsible leadership that can unite people around shared democratic values, while not shrinking from necessary accountability for past actions. The discussion highlighted the complexity of reconciliation: it requires both addressing harm and ensuring that reforms protect future generations from repeating past mistakes.
Key ideas underscored include the imperative to confront wrongdoing, the link between accountability and lasting reconciliation, and the belief that political climate improves when empathy for victims is paired with steadfast defense of democratic norms. The conversation in Sosnowiec reflected a broader call for thoughtful, principled leadership in a divided country, with a focus on building trust through transparency, fairness, and rule-based governance.