Hołownia, who also ran unsuccessfully in the recent presidential race, has responded to the growing controversy over nearly 50,000 official complaints filed in connection with alleged vote-counting irregularities during the second round.
The runoff saw Karol Nawrocki, backed by the right-wing populist Law and Justice party (PiS), defeat pro-European centrist and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, supported by the ruling Civic Coalition (KO).
Parliamentary Speaker rejects proposal to delay presidential inauguration
At a press conference on Tuesday, Hołownia was asked about a proposal made by Roman Giertych - a prominent MP, lawyer, and vocal critic of the election outcome - who suggested that the National Assembly should vote on August 6 to suspend proceedings. Such a move would temporarily transfer presidential duties to Hołownia.
According to Giertych, this would allow more time to verify the results and conduct a potential recount. Hołownia rejected the idea, warning it could inflame public tensions.
“If Roman Giertych were to have his way and dictate the course of action for the National Assembly - and, apparently, for other state institutions too - we’d be heading toward a new election,” he said.
“And do you know how that would end? Karol Nawrocki would win outright in the first round with 70% of the vote, because public frustration over claims of election rigging would explode.”
Hołownia described Giertych as a “creative mind” who simply refuses to accept the election result.
“With all due respect to Roman Giertych - and I do have some - he’s free to post whatever he wants on social media. But I have a responsibility to the state,” Hołownia said, adding that while he acknowledges Giertych’s concerns, he remains “cautiously critical” of his proposal.
Deputy PM urges restraint amid recount calls
Speaking on Tuesday just before departing for a NATO summit, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz addressed growing calls to recount votes from the country’s recent presidential runoff.
Kosiniak-Kamysz, leader of the agrarian-centrist Polish People’s Party (PSL) and former coalition partner of Sejm Speaker Szymon Hołownia - who leads the centrist Poland 2050 movement - under the Third Way alliance, stressed that while all electoral complaints should be reviewed, blanket recounts are unwarranted.
“Every election protest should be examined. That’s a basic obligation in a rule-of-law state and part of the trust citizens place in public institutions,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
“People have the right to expect transparency, fairness, and efficiency from their government - and that includes receiving a proper response to their concerns.”
However, he argued there is currently no justification to recount all votes. Only protests based on clear, citizen-submitted evidence should be investigated, he stated.
In light of today’s tense global security environment, Kosiniak-Kamysz warned that “stirring up emotions that might undermine the election outcome must be avoided.”
Under Polish law, the deadline for resolving all matters related to a potential recount in the second round of the presidential election is July 2.
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Source: IAR/PAP/TVP Info/MON