The two leading candidates in the presidential elections, Bronislaw Komorowski and Jarosław Kaczynski, say that they are ready to face each other in a TV election debate, but neither of them wants to initiate it. 

“I’m ready to participate in a debate with Jaroslaw Kaczynski. However, I think that it would be more polite and appropriate, especially now he’s still in mourning for his dead brother, if he decided whether he wants to hold it or not,” said Komorowski.

The speaker of the parliament and the acting president added that a debate with the leader of the Law and Justice party would probably be very interesting, especially after Kaczynski’s recent youtube address to Russians. It would also be a fierce debate, he said.

 “It would be full-blooded,” said Komorowski. 

The head of Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s campaign staff Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska, however, told TVP public television that the leader of the Law and Justice party is ready to hold a debate with Komorowski, even before the first round of the presidential election on June 20.

Kaczynski, however, says he is waiting for Komorowski to take the first step.

Mourning favours Kaczynski 

A recent opinion poll by SMG/KRC showing that Bronislaw Komorowski can count on 45 percent of the popular vote, with Jaroslaw Kaczynski on 34 percent, four points up from the week before.

Bronislaw Komorowski attributes the rise in popularity of his main rival to personal sympathy for Jaroslaw Kaczynski, whose twin-brother perished in the plane crash near Smolensk on April 10.

“The atmosphere of mourning certainly helps Kaczynski and his party knows well how to take advantage of that,” said Komorowski.

“I hope that while casting votes Poles will act according to their views and judgments about the candidate’s political achievements, not from emotion,” said the acting president.

Komorowski added that voters should take a close look at Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s recent change of behaviour and consider whether it is a permanent and reliable or results only from the current political situation.

Observers have noted a new, softer image presented by Kaczynski to the public, resulting from both the atmostphere post-Smolensk but also a tactical change by the Law and Justice party to drop their formerly more aggressive stance towards political rivals. (mg/ss/pg) 

Source: PAP, TVP Info