The Marshal of the Sejm, Poland’s leading figure in 2050 governance, Szymon Hołownia, said he was seriously weighing a bid for the presidency and stressed that his decision would not depend on support from PSL or any other political group. He added that he would announce his choice before Christmas.
On October 29, a neo-commission briefing outlined its work investigating Russian and Belarusian influence in Poland from 2004 through 2024. General Jarosław Stróżyk presented key assumptions, noting that the committee recommends submitting a request to the public prosecutor to explore possible acts of diplomatic treason by Antoni Macierewicz. He charged the former defense minister with pulling back from the Karkonosze program, which involved the procurement of air tankers without proper procedures, analysis, or consequences.
Hołownia attacked Macierewicz
Hołownia argued that Macierewicz exercised a chilling influence on modernizing the armed forces. He welcomed full exposure of the issues surrounding the Karkonosze program and urged Macierewicz to take responsibility for the outcomes. He framed these concerns as part of a broader pattern connected to the Smolensk subcommittee, describing the situation as a persistent problem.
In an online interview with Super Express, Hołownia said he expected the committee to deliver more concrete findings than had been presented so far and to reveal the systemic channels through which foreign actors operate in Poland.
He stated that only through additional acts would the public learn about how the Russians have affected Polish institutions and where the system shows vulnerabilities.
The marshal is looking for officers
Hołownia added that security services are tasked with investigating specific incidents, arresting criminals and traitors, while the committee’s job is to present a systemic picture of how Russian influence arrived in Poland and where weaknesses reside. He distinguished between political naiveté on the public stage and the ongoing, normal influence operations conducted by foreign powers.
He argued that relying on Antoni Macierewicz’s agency for strategic decisions is untenable and suggested that many elements of his policy approach could serve outside interests. He urged the public to consider whether the president should be used to defend actions that undermine the military’s operational capacity and the alliance’s stance.
The question of whether these issues are coincidence or a cause-and-effect relation, he noted, falls under the Public Prosecution Service rather than political journalism.
When asked about the presidential thread that surfaced during the report presentation, Hołownia said he did not know the specifics but spoke highly of General Stróżyk and the head of the National Security Office, Jacek Siewierz, adding that clarity would come in time.
He also indicated a belief that the matter would be clarified in due course.
According to Hołownia, Macierewicz’s position is untenable. He criticized the use of presidential authority to defend actions that he claimed weakened Poland’s military readiness and its alliances.
Tomczak’s resignation
During the interview, Hołownia addressed the resignation of Deputy Minister of Development and Technology Jacek Tomczak, triggered by a report alleging collaboration with developers through a notary office over several years. The report claimed that Tomczak’s recommendations through the Kredyt na Start program could raise apartment prices, benefiting developers most. Hołownia welcomed the dismissal, arguing that such doubts should not linger in public office and describing the move as a step toward restoring trust in governance.
He noted that the idea of directing funds toward developers and banks had collapsed under the current government, hoping the approach would not return.
Presidential elections
The deputy prime minister, the head of the defense ministry, and PSL’s leader, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, invited partners from the ruling coalition to choose a common presidential candidate at a recent PSL supreme council. He argued that the coalition could not afford further disputes. In past statements, the party signaled its willingness to support a Third Way candidate in the presidency, a move that would likely align with Hołownia as the shared figure between PSL and Polska 2050.
Hołownia admitted surprise at Kosiniak-Kamysz’s proposal for a shared candidate. He said the agreement among the alliance would mean there were no other names on the table, not because he is exceptional but because the consensus was that a unified option should prevail. The Sejm speaker asserted that the question of a Third Way candidate should be settled by principles, not personalities.
Beginning of Hołownia
He confirmed that he is seriously weighing a presidential bid and is preparing everything needed to reach a decision. He added that there is a clear perceived need for Poland and that he would ensure he is ready to act if he decides to run.
Hołownia explained that his discussions with Kosiniak-Kamysz included the PSL’s internal guidelines on appearing in the election arena and the shared understanding that the party would participate strongly in the political process. He said he had pressed for clarity on whether there is a desire to continue the Third Way project and received an affirmative response, while stressing that the continuation would not come at any price.
He argued that the ongoing political dynamic leading up to the presidential race should be handled differently from party elections. The crucial question is the vision and the face Poland will present, not which single party claims victory.
The relationship with the PSL leadership remains close. However, Hołownia clarified that his decision would not be contingent on PSL’s stance; the question of the party’s exact role will be decided by the party itself. He stressed that he is organizing his plans to make a definitive decision and that the PSL’s position will be addressed on its own terms.
Details of the presidential run
Asked when he might announce his decision, Hołownia said it would come before Christmas. When questioned about whether he would take a break from his Sejm duties during the campaign or run while continuing to perform his responsibilities as the assembly’s speaker, he affirmed that he would do both. Maintaining leadership in the Sejm while pursuing a presidential campaign would be a serious responsibility and not something that could be abandoned for political reasons; he intended to continue serving as the assembly’s speaker if he runs.
He stated there would be no internal ethical barriers to balancing both roles, suggesting that he could manage both duties if he moved forward with a campaign. When asked if, should he fail to reach the second round, he would support the coalition’s candidate, he said it would depend on the stakes, but emphasized that supporting a candidate from the democratic camp would be the natural path rather than backing an anti-democratic contender.
Christmas Eve
In another topic, Hołownia was asked about a draft amendment to make Christmas Eve a non-working day, a measure promoted by the left. The timing and pace of parliamentary processing would determine whether December 24 would be a day off. He noted the need to consult the parties involved, given the strong business opposition and significant support from retail workers. He also suggested the debate could spark broader discussions about Sunday shopping and the broader argument with many substantive points to consider.
He reminded listeners that Christmas Eve falls on December 24 for this year and questioned why such a discussion needed to occur so far in advance. He added that whether the bill would gain a parliamentary majority remains to be seen as the Sejm handles the matter.