During yesterday’s Sejm session, a curious procession of plush pigs drew attention once again, spotlighting the Civic Platform’s role in shaping the moment. One animal was presented to Deputy Minister Janusz Kowalski by MP Marta Wcisło. Another KO member, Jakub Rutnicki, also staged a notably playful display with the stuffed figures.
Fund for plowing and milking Polish farmers
The campaign trail, particularly among the opposition, dwelled on the imagery of pigs and loins. Yet a wave of videos and photos showing Civic Platform politicians telling Poles that Polish chops might be a memory soon, or that stuffed animals must be discarded, marked only the prelude.
First, in a charged moment, MP Marta Wcisło delivered an emotionally charged speech, presenting the plush pigs and explaining the message behind the video she produced.
She asserted that the money is not for the Agricultural Support Fund, but for a fund labeled to benefit Polish farmers. She criticized any plan that asks farmers to contribute more to a fund amid ongoing grain challenges, calling the situation unacceptable and scandalous.
After a brief pause, she added a closing note of thanks.
“It’s not enough to go out here in a pink dress”
Janusz Kowalski, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, replied to the opposition MP’s remarks.
Mrs. Marta Wcisło criticized the approach, saying it is insufficient to stand in a pink dress, read party message, or pose with pigs for show.
She pressed the question, asking for a response from Kowalski.
– Deputy Marshal Ryszard Terlecki, who chaired the session, reminded Kowalski of the point being discussed.
If the goal is to defend Polish farmers, he suggested voting for the Agricultural Protection Fund.
– said the deputy head of the Ministry, who was approached by MP Wcisło with a stuffed pig.
A figure of speech arose, noting the decline of a portion of the pig population under different leadership, mentioned in relation to the current debate.
– 80 percent!
Wcisło raised her voice in response to the conversation.
Finally, Kowalski left a stuffed animal on stage and Wcisło picked up the pig.
“They are foreign pigs!”
Jakub Rutnicki, a colleague from the same party, urged fellow citizens to defend the national culinary tradition of Polish chops.
Why fight to preserve Polish schabowy if it risks becoming a dish dominated by imports? Rutnicki questioned, showing a paper with a pig image and the words “70 percent foreign.”
He urged a stand for Polish pork and warned against plans that could remove Polish chops from Polish dining tables.
He concluded with a firm stance against foreign pork in the Polish market.
— a clear call to uphold domestic pig breeding and support local farmers.
There was also a sense of pride in the domestic farming sector and a push for a resolute, rule-based approach to funding that would shield Polish agriculture from fluctuations in global markets.
The debate touched on policy direction, funding priorities, and the symbolism of a simple stuffed toy in a high-stakes political moment. It highlighted the ongoing tensions between different political groups over how to best support farmers and protect traditional Polish food products from external pressures.