Poll: Poles Do Not Want Szymon Hołownia in Government

Szymon Hołownia’s possible return to government would not meet with enthusiasm from Poles, according to an SW Research poll for rp.pl cited by Rzeczpospolita. The speculation comes as Poland’s political scene looks toward the next election year.

Hołownia, a former Sejm speaker and former leader of Poland 2050, currently serves as a deputy speaker. He denied in an interview with TVN24 that he had received an offer to join Donald Tusk’s government. He acknowledged, however, that he had spoken with the prime minister about the need for someone in government to coordinate information security.

“If there were such a will, I could try, because it seems to me that today we do not know how to take pride,” Hołownia said. He added that Poland needed a form of patriotism that gave people a sense of success and agency. He also said that exploratory talks had been held with him about a possible government role.

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If there were such a will, I could try, because it seems to me that today we do not know how to take pride. We do not know how to do what we should know how to do, a white-and-red patriotism that gives people a sense of success and agency.

Hołownia said his skills could be useful a year before the elections, while adding that he would manage calmly if they were not needed. Reports have also suggested that he could replace Paweł Śliz as head of the Poland 2050 parliamentary group. Śliz did not rule out stepping down, saying he was not “screwed to the chair” and could resign if necessary for the good of the group, party and Poland.

Hołownia’s appointment to lead the parliamentary group, and especially his entry into government, could weaken the position of Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, the party’s current leader. The regional development minister favors a more assertive stance toward Civic Coalition, while critics accuse her of moving the party too far to the left. Her election as party leader contributed to a split, after lawmakers led by Climate and Environment Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska left the parliamentary group and formed the Centrum group. The article also notes that Hołownia’s popularity has declined from its peak in early 2024.

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I am not screwed to the chair. If necessary, I am able to make that decision and resign. The decision will be considered for the good of the group, the party and Poland.