Tusk: Speaker Hołownia's decision to run should be met with respect

"In the October 15 Coalition, the rule is friendly competition during the elections, without hostility or disregard. Speaker Hołownia's decision to run should be met with respect and admiration for his courage and determination," Tusk wrote on X on Thursday (November 14).

Hołownia announced his presidential bid for 2025 on Wednesday at a meeting with residents in Jędrzejów, Świętokrzyskie province.

Asked by reporters in the Sejm on Thursday about balancing his duties as Speaker with the demands of the presidential campaign, Hołownia clarified: "I have no intention of pausing my role as Speaker of the Sejm. I plan to continue serving Poland in this position and have not made any other agreements."

He noted that Prime Minister Donald Tusk's directive for government officials to take a leave of absence or step down applies only to ministers. "That was the message communicated to us by Prime Minister Tusk."

Hołownia also pointed out the weight of responsibility associated with his role, saying, "I believe this is a significant responsibility I bear. For example, when a president seeks re-election, they don’t resign from the presidency." He cited historical examples of past Sejm Speakers and Deputy Speakers who campaigned for the presidency without leaving their posts.

He added that if campaign obligations became challenging to balance with his Sejm responsibilities, he would consider taking short leaves as needed, whether for a day, a week, or however long the situation requires.

Asked if his activities as Speaker might be perceived as campaign actions, Hołownia replied that this perspective could apply to any parliamentarian engaging in public activities during their term.

Hołownia reaffirmed his commitment to the coalition agreement, which specifies that Left party leader Włodzimierz Czarzasty will assume the role of Sejm Speaker in a year’s time. "Unless unforeseen circumstances arise—which I don’t foresee—this arrangement will stand," he added.

Jarosław Rzepa, an MP from PSL (the Polish People's Party, which forms the Third Way alliance with Poland 2050), mentioned that his party would consider supporting Hołownia within their official structures, provided Hołownia formally seeks their endorsement. This decision, Rzepa noted, would require at least the approval of the National Council.

Meanwhile, the National Board of the Civic Platform (PO) decided last Saturday to hold primaries in which Civic Coalition members (including PO, Modern, the Polish Initiative, and the Greens) will choose their presidential candidate. The primary candidates are Warsaw Mayor and PO Vice Chairman Rafał Trzaskowski, and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

The vote, involving members of all four parties, is likely set for November 23, with the primary winner expected to present their program in Silesia on December 7.

In early October, the Left alliance announced that the National Council of the New Left (a member of the Left alliance) had unanimously decided to field their own candidate in next year’s presidential election, although they have not yet chosen who that will be.

On the weekend, PiS Chairman Jarosław Kaczyński stated that the "patriotic camp" would announce its presidential candidate within the coming weeks.

The presidential election is scheduled for the spring of next year, as President Andrzej Duda’s term concludes in August 2025.