Lawyer Bartosz Lewandowski told Radosław Sikorski that it was good to hear him acknowledge that Poland is not a country of anti-Semites, noting that Sikorski had previously mocked those who claimed otherwise after a TVN interview with Monika Olejnik.
Online reaction surged after the TVN 24 broadcast in which journalist Monika Olejnik questioned Radosław Sikorski, the foreign minister and Civic Coalition presidential candidate, about whether his wife’s Jewish heritage might create problems for KO supporters.
Was the response a deliberate move or a real expression of indignation? If the latter, observers argued that Sikorski failed to grasp Olejnik’s intent when asking about anti Semitic prejudices among Civic Platform politicians, because his reply wandered off topic.
Samuel Pereira, a journalist associated with Telewizja wPolsce24, commented on the event and shared a video recording of the exchange.
The internet is in turmoil
Online commentators weighed in with additional remarks about what unfolded on air.
Two observations emerged from the online chatter. Some accused elements within the platform of anti Semitism, and Sikorski was seen as not maintaining pressure in the public debate.
Polish political blogger Paweł Rybicki summarized the mood, noting the presence of anti Semitic undertones in parts of the platform and a sense that Sikorski was not pressing the issue.
A commentator, Cezary Gmyz, suggested that names such as Appelbaum or Wildstein raise questions about origins, while he argued that anti Semitism is a problem on the left.
Journalist Cezary Gmyz was cited as the source for the remark.
Robert Winnicki, a former Confederation MP, criticized what he called an obsession with Jewish topics and questioned the role of TVN.
Alicja Cichoń, a councilor from Mińsk Mazowiecki who ran unsuccessfully for the Sejm on the Civic Coalition ticket, argued that journalism should challenge powerful figures but that some questions cross boundaries. She noted Sikorski left the studio early and compared the treatment to what some people ask of President Duda.
Joanna Miziołek of Wprost pointed out that the press has repeatedly examined Andrzej Duda’s wife during the first presidential campaign, suggesting that memory in public discourse can be selective.
Joanna Miziołek, a journalist from Wprost, echoed that sentiment and added context to the discussion around media focus on family origins.
Mariusz Kałużny, a PiS MP, questioned whether the portrayal of TVN and Olejnik as a cesspool was fair, asking if constant criticism of PiS would ever be considered acceptable.
Hypocrisy
Prominent lawyer Bartosz Lewandowski used the moment to challenge Sikorski, arguing that Poland is not an anti Semitic country while recalling past occasions when Sikorski accused others of anti Semitism.
Lewandowski stated that Sikorski had finally acknowledged Poland’s stance, while remarking that those who warned about prejudice had been mocked in the past.
Lewandowski shared screenshots highlighting moments when Sikorski mocked the notion that anti Semitism no longer exists in Poland.
Trzaskowski’s response
Even Rafał Trzaskowski, Sikorski’s rival in the primaries and the mayor of Warsaw, weighed in on the controversy, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding family life and offering support for Anne and Radek.
Trzaskowski commented publicly on the matter, underscoring the need for respect for family and expressing solidarity with Sikorski and his wife.
Sikorski’s attack
Moments after leaving the studio, Sikorski posted a message on social media denouncing TVN. He argued that discussing the wife’s family origins should not drive the presidential race and defended Poland against accusations of anti Semitism, calling for higher journalistic standards from the network and its partners.
The post appeared on the social platform X. The message circulated amid continued debate about media fairness and political rhetoric.