In a televised interview, Ryszard Petru, a Polish 2050 MP, voiced support for liquidating Telewizja Polska (TVP). He argued that the budget is stretched thin and that savings must be found, suggesting that public media could be slimmed down as part of broader cost-cutting efforts.
What might happen to public media under Tusk’s government?
During a campaign rally in Bydgoszcz, Donald Tusk said that once his cabinet is formed, he would convert the government broadcaster into a true public television within 24 hours, without seeking legislative approval or presidential consent. He claimed there are legal tools to restore social oversight of public television overnight.
Gazeta Wyborcza, citing conversations with Civic Coalition figures, reported that the opposition already has a plan to remove Danuta Holecka from TVP and that changes promised by a prominent Civic Coalition politician could be carried out within 24 hours, perhaps within two days. There is a variety of approaches discussed for TVP, from liquidation to a reshuffle of leadership, as described in the publication. The talks include placing the company into liquidation or suspending the board of directors by a new Minister of Culture, who would convene the company’s general meeting. These ideas were reported by the media outlet mentioned above.
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– What is the opposition’s strategy for TVP and Polish Radio? Tusk’s team reportedly has several scenarios, with experts pointing to the general meeting as a pivotal step.
– Will liquidation be pursued after all? Tusk has signaled a sharper stance toward TVP in response to protests, arguing that public sentiment should guide the response within a day.
Petru advocates for TVP liquidation
Petru contends that Telewizja Polska should be dissolved. He notes there is not enough money for the essential functions of the state and questions whether two billion would be spent again. He argues for dropping public television and pursuing savings instead.
Petru commented on annual subsidies for public media, saying that no subsidies should continue and that he has long advocated for abolishing public television. He instead supports creating a public mission fund financed from the state budget. Through this fund, individual television channels, radio stations, and online platforms could compete in tenders for subsidies to support educational, information technology, and historical content.
The Polish 2050 member of parliament emphasized that the public mission fund would be the mode of support rather than ongoing subsidy, presenting it as a way to preserve public services while reforming funding models.
The President of the National Bank and accountability
In his remarks, Petru also highlighted three reasons why the President of the National Bank of Poland, Professor Adam Glapiński, might face scrutiny before a State Tribunal. He suggested there is a real possibility of formal moves to question the president, alleging constitutional violations tied to financing national debt through the central bank and through intermediaries.
Petru argued that Glapiński’s record includes breaches of the NBP law and constitutional principles, along with concerns about political neutrality. The discussion framed accountability as a key element in economic governance and public trust.
The opposition and retail policy promises
On the issue of Sunday trading, Petru expressed a personal preference for shops to be open every Sunday, but acknowledged the need for compromise so that opening every second Sunday could be a viable option. He also spoke about education funding reform, urging the new Minister of Education to review teacher financing and to implement salary increases and indexation as soon as possible.
When asked about the Central Communications Port project, he suggested a careful assessment of past spending, remaining funds, and who would ultimately finance any further investments. He emphasized the importance of evaluating cost and sustainability given the scope of the project and its long‑term maintenance obligations.
Petru’s statements paint a picture of a broad reform agenda that includes liquidation or restructuring of public media, accountability for central bank governance, a reevaluation of Sunday retail policies, and a rethinking of funding for education and major infrastructure investments. Critics, however, argue that such sweeping changes could carry risk for the country’s information ecosystem, economic stability, and public services. The overall tone from the opposition suggests a readiness to pursue rapid shifts, while supporters say these steps could modernize governance and improve efficiency. The broader public response remains mixed, with questions about implementation timelines and the practical impact on everyday life. The discussion continues as the political landscape evolves.
Source: wPolityce