Komorowski to attend Kukiz debate?
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
20.05.2015 12:55
Bronisław Komorowski’s campaigners have declared that the incumbent may well take part in a debate hosted by Paweł Kukiz – who came third in the first round of the presidential poll – marking an about-turn ahead of the final round of the election this upcoming Sunday.
From L to R: Andrzej Duda, Paweł Kukiz, Bronisław Komorowski. Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk/Maciej Kulczyński/Paweł Supernak
Despite Komorowski initially shunning the invitation to take part in the debate, on Tuesday night the president’s campaign manager Robert Tyszkiewicz sent out a Tweet that talks are underway as to the meeting’s organisation.
The possible decision marks a U-turn in Komorowski’s campaign, as Tyszkiewicz originally mooted on social media last week that “a debate between two politicians, moderated by a politician, is too much politics and not enough [civic engagement]”.
The debate has also raised eyebrows as on Tuesday early afternoon voices were raised from among Komorowski’s entourage that “We had a debate on Sunday which was watched by millions of Poles. We have second debate on Thursday and Friday is the last day of campaigning.”
“I don’t remember a situation whereby a presidential candidate […] who then wants to form a political organisation, organised a debate,” Civic Platform MP Jakub Rutnicki said on Tuesday.
Opposition rival Andrzej Duda immediately agreed to Kukiz’s proposal for a debate following his success in the first round of the presidential poll on Sunday 10 May, saying “I’m in”. Duda reaffirmed his stance on Tuesday.
It is still not known whether Kukiz’s debate will go ahead, although plans have been cemented with regards to Thursday’s televised debate broadcast by TVN.
The debate is to be split into three thematic blocks: foreign policy and security, economy and social policy. (jb)
Source: IAR/PAP