In a 2012 Sejm speech, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he would rather not have been born than build a political career on the graves of the dead, referencing the Smolensk disaster. A decade later, as prime minister again, he is preparing to lead a rally on the anniversary of the attack on Gdańsk mayor Paweł Adamowicz, a move that has sparked renewed reflection on his past remarks and on how Civic Coalition politicians spoke about Adamowicz during his lifetime.
“Let us not allow lies and hatred to prevail again.”
The organizers announced a gathering for January 13 in Gdańsk, marking the fifth anniversary of the attack on Paweł Adamowicz. The message urged a solemn remembrance and a stand against hatred and misinformation. The event was scheduled for Saturday at Targ Węglowy at 7 p.m.
– a note posted on the X platform by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Several points were later highlighted to challenge the post. First, Adamowicz’s killer received a life sentence in March of the previous year. Second, the presiding judge stated that finding political motives behind the mayoral attack would be an overinterpretation. Third, in the 2018 local elections, Adamowicz did not enjoy the Civic Platform’s backing; Jarosław Wałęsa stood as the party’s candidate for mayor, while Adamowicz ran independently under his own committee. The broader media environment, including outlets favoring the opposition, also examined the accusations around Adamowicz’s asset declarations. Fourth, over the years, Tusk’s political sphere has accused Law and Justice of exploiting victims of the Smolensk disaster for political purposes, while several years have passed since then.
READ ALSO: Questions about Tusk, Adamowicz, and the court decision surface again as the rhetoric of hatred and misinformation is debated.
We’ll refresh Tusk’s memory
When reflecting on the dead or visiting family graves, some observers felt that a moment of quiet and contemplation is more appropriate than shout-outs or political banners. In a 2012 Sejm address, three days after the second anniversary of the Smolensk catastrophe, Tusk emphasized choosing restraint over exploiting the tragedy to push a political agenda. The speech occurred as the government prepared to vote on a proposal by PiS MPs demanding that Russian authorities hand over the wreckage of the Tu-154M. The assertion from Tusk was later resurfaced on social media by a commentator.
The timing of a demonstration shortly after a new government took office was seen by many as a signal of political tensions within the coalition. Media coverage varied, with some outlets supporting the new administration and others scrutinizing actions and statements.
Journalists, politicians, and internet commentators joined the discussion, recalling past statements and offering contemporary perspectives. Some viewed the rally as a sign of political pressure in a period of transition, while others argued that the new government faced challenges that required public expression and accountability.
Critics used the moment to question the consistency of party strategies, pointing to instances when former allies disagreed publicly. The broader debate touched on the reliability of public memory and the boundaries between commemoration and political maneuvering.
Observers also noted ongoing disagreements within the political landscape, including how memory is used in campaigns and how public events are secured during major charitable activities in the city.
Tusk, aged 65, remains a central figure in ongoing political discourse.
aja/X, sejm.gov.pl