The head of Polska 2050, Szymon Hołownia, spoke with restrained tension after Janusz Kowalski, a deputy minister in the agriculture ministry, accused firms of profiting from Ukrainian grain imports. He urged Kowalski to stop making claims and to present concrete details so they could be checked, speaking to RMF FM in response.
Kowalski cites firms profiting from moving Ukrainian grain into Poland
Janusz Kowalski, a state secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, told the Sejm that he held a list of companies benefiting from transporting technical grain from Ukraine into Poland. He suggested that some of these firms had links to the Polska 2050 movement led by Szymon Hołownia.
“I am presenting a list of 56 companies. Start by questioning your coalition partner. If you control these entities, the coalition with Szymon Hołownia could fall apart,” he told the Sejm’s chairman.
Hołownia responds: PSL president did not reach out to me
The Polska 2050 leader appeared unsettled by the deputy minister’s remarks, replying to questions with a tense tone. He dismissed the comments as nonsense and said it was unclear what was meant. He added, “Please stop talking nonsense; just provide the details so we can verify them. The PSL president did not call me today to say, here is such a list.”
The head of Polska 2050 insisted that no companies tied to his movement profit from Ukrainian grain imports into Poland. He accused Kowalski of deception and of creating noise to distract from real issues, arguing that the deputy minister was trying to shield allies of the United Right by discrediting opponents, though the full timeline suggested a broader political discussion would unfold over time.
Hołownia hinted that if this topic surfaced during an election campaign, there would be rapid questions in court, even though the legal process in Poland tends to be lengthy.
No list but no problem because there is no list
On coalition matters, Hołownia stated that Polska 2050 supporters should not fear. He described the arrangement as practical rather than a full merger, stressing that each party would keep its own program and likely operate separate parliamentary groups after the next elections.
He noted that a formal coalition with PSL would be significant, though no binding agreement existed at that moment. Any talks would aim to create safe, broadly supported mechanisms to ensure stability and broad voter trust for both Polska 2050 and the Polish coalition.
Hołownia added that PSL often enjoys support in areas where Polska 2050 is weaker, and a fair process for allocating support would help maximize turnout for his party without alienating potential PSL voters.
“We are different in many ways,” he observed. “This coalition is tactical, aimed at winning an election. The two parties will continue as distinct groups with separate agendas and perhaps separate parliamentary clubs.”
The aim, he said, was to remove PiS from power. Recent polls suggested that this tactical alliance could shift the opposition’s advantage, though careful timing and cautious naming of candidates would be necessary to avoid disappointing those backing the pact.
Topics to be discussed with Confederation supporters
Hołownia outlined ideas intended to discourage younger voters from backing the Confederation. He argued for clear explanations of professional plans and personal circumstances, noting concerns about starting a business and the impact of policy on families.
He criticized Mr Mentzen’s tax proposals, arguing that eliminating taxes could create a sizeable budget gap and threaten essential services such as schools and childcare. He questioned whether such policies would lead to better or worse outcomes for ordinary Poles, including access to healthcare.
In his view, the Confederation could push Poland toward polarized results, with wealthier areas gaining benefits while poorer communities faced longer waits for public services. The point was to scrutinize practical consequences for daily life rather than endorse a single idea.
Hołownia stressed that a coalition with PSL was a major political step, almost as significant as any shared electoral list with other major figures. He noted that political partnerships are often pragmatic rather than perfectly harmonized, with the broader goal of strengthening the opposition while offering voters credible alternatives.
The discussion showed several parties in the broader coalition were still shaping their strategies, with some names not disclosed yet to avoid disappointing supporters before the timing was right.
In closing, Hołownia emphasized a focus on credible policy work and voter trust rather than sensational moves. The political landscape remained fluid, with strategic talks and public messaging aimed at clarifying long term goals for Poland’s future.