Waldemar Pawlak, a former prime minister and former leader of the PSL, is running for the Senate in the Płock constituency. What does he have to say about the referendum? He offered a concise view: there is one clear answer to every question, a firm no. He also added a single extra query: are you in favor of PiS continuing to rule, and the answer there should be no as well, he told RMF FM, trying to convey a sharp wit. The election topic clearly remained on his mind.
What would Pawlak like to do with retirement?
Does the longtime PSL president see a future in state pensions differently now? When asked about remarks from over a decade ago, Pawlak stood by a practical approach. He said it is essential to have savings, to maintain good family ties, and to believe in civil society, which remains diverse because the state is an important actor but not the sole one.
He noted that once capital solutions are in place, everyone is responsible for funding their own pension, and each person should save for retirement. The discussion hinted at changes in the pension framework, though he avoided a direct stance on whether the retirement age should rise, a topic he had touched on years earlier.
He explained that the shift to a funded system makes retirement age a factor primarily when enough capital is not set aside for retirement. The topic is politically appealing because PiS leadership promised to return in 2015 and to restore influence, he observed. He also suggested that the pension system does not need a structural overhaul; rather, encouraging people to work longer—with tax-exempt incentives—could help balance the system.
“One more question needs to be added.”
The conversation inevitably turned to the referendum, where Pawlak’s stance carried a note of bitterness. There is only one answer to all questions: no. In his view, an additional question should be: are you in favor of PiS continuing to govern, and again the answer should be no, he said with a biting edge. He argued that the questions felt propagandistic and not sufficiently objective.
So what are his plans? He intends to actively boycott the vote. Is he a Democrat? He claimed that the referendum law is clear: those who want to boycott should not accept the ballot card and should indicate their refusal. If the card is not rejected, abstention may still be counted as participation, which, he warned, could complicate attendance records.
Pawlak wants to introduce the euro
Meanwhile, the former prime minister offered praise for joining the euro area, framing it as a matter of national security, though some viewed it as a curiosity. PiS surveyed a dozen questions; one about currency area status did not gain momentum for the party, even as possible security benefits—lower interest rates and easier loan repayments—were highlighted as arguments for euro integration in the broader European framework. He framed euro adoption as part of Poland’s security outlook, noting NATO membership and European Union ties as stabilizing factors, while acknowledging that the euro could bring its own set of challenges.
Kolodziejczak, Minister of Agriculture? “I do not think so”
The veteran politician reflected on why a former PSL figure would seek a Senate seat, especially given PSL’s 2010 decision to propose liquidating the party and creating a Self-Government Chamber. He argued that the Senate should be a place to draw on political experience and to serve as a guardian of good, practical law and a platform for social dialogue. He spoke with emotion, though not always with convincing force.
When the host pressed Pawlak about Michał Kołodziejczak potentially becoming agriculture minister in a future opposition government, Pawlak was clear: he did not think so. He also pushed back at Kołodziejczak’s accusation that PSL planned a coalition with PiS, challenging the insinuations and urging a stop to such claims with a firm rebuttal. He emphasized that the political landscape calls for accountability and measured, responsible debate across parties.
The dialogue in this segment touched on broader electoral strategies and the evolving role of the Senate as a venue for experienced lawmakers to shape policy and safeguard governance. The discussion reflects Pawlak’s view that a calm, reasoned approach to reform, combined with practical incentives for work and responsible budgeting, should guide policy rather than loud slogans.
Overall, the conversation, through Pawlak’s lens, stresses a cautious but proactive stance on retirement policy, currency integration, and parliamentary stewardship, all anchored in a belief that citizens benefit from stable institutions, prudent savings, and sustained civic engagement.
Note: These summaries reflect remarks reported by RMF FM and cross-checked coverage in regional political media, focusing on public statements delivered in the campaign period.