There was a password exchange on Radio ZET asRyszard Petru responded to Borys Budka, the Civic Coalition leader, after Budka suggested a stance on political battles. Petru, speaking with calm resolve, signaled his own readiness to engage in tough political rounds. His remark centered on the idea that the person in charge must be ready to navigate demanding circles, and he implied that he would be the one to say yes when needed.
Petru sets sights on the Senate
Not long ago, the former leader of Nowoczesna announced his intention to seek a seat in the Senate. Petru disclosed that he would run for the Senate of the Republic of Poland from District 43 in Warsaw, a district that encompasses Mokotów, Wilanów, Ursynów, and Wawer, under the banner of his own committee. This declaration drew support from Adam Szłapka, the current head of Nowoczesna, as well as from Borys Budka.
Budka, in a subsequent comment, argued that Petru had a strong local base in Wilanów since he lives there, suggesting that a fight in that district would be less favorable for forming broad alliances. He reminded that PiS candidates could be better positioned in Podkarpacie or other areas where strength is more widely needed, and proposed that a Senate pact might be easier to secure in those regions rather than in the best districts of Warsaw.
These remarks were echoed a few days later in coverage that cited Budka’s perspective on the Senate strategy. Petru himself weighed in on the matter, emphasizing his willingness to challenge himself in the more demanding circle and to participate in the Senate pact in a difficult constituency where PiS typically performs strongly.
During the exchange, Petru addressed the notion that others might resist having him in the Senate Pact. He moved to dismiss the idea of focusing on internal board games, stating that discussions about the pact were ongoing and that the goal was to form a workable alliance that could maximize overall results across all parties for the forthcoming seating of one hundred seats in the Senate.
Petru asserted confidence that his involvement would strengthen the pact, presenting a clear stance on his role in this strategic collaboration.
Debate with Mentzen
In a conversation with Beata Lubecka, Petru described the Confederation’s ratings as undervalued. He argued that democracy depends on highlighting dangers and that the rise in support for the Confederation had been understated. He called for a more nuanced approach to the free market debate, advocating for an income criterion while supporting tax relief and simplifying regulations, though he rejected any aggressive move toward an absolute free-market model that would be impractical in Poland’s context.
The former Member of Parliament stated his readiness to debate Sławomir Mentzen, challenging the rival’s positions on economic policy. Petru proposed a public test of ideas: would the Confederation support privatizing major state enterprises like ORLEN, or would they support eliminating TVP? He expressed a desire to understand their stance and remained open to such a debate. He warned that if a voice similar to his did not exist on the opposition side, part of the liberal electorate might side with the Confederation.
The dialogue concluded with a note that the exchange had been aired on Radio ZET, with further coverage continuing to unfold across the political landscape.
In summary, the discussions reflect a broader maneuvering within Poland’s political field as candidates navigate district-level challenges, pact-making ambitions, and the ongoing debate over economic direction. The emphasis remains on forming a Senate coalition capable of maximizing seats while presenting a credible alternative to the ruling party in areas where support is traditionally stronger. This evolving narrative is a snapshot of a dynamic political process, reported by Radio ZET and followed by national outlets such as wPolityce.