“Boorish rabble!”: Kaczyński insulted the opposition parties in the Sejm

Share

Everything you need to know about the rule of law in Poland

More

Kaczyński's outburst of 4 June 2020 has a political dimension and may be harmful to President Duda’s campaign



By Michał Danielewski

 

It was supposed to be a ritual debate on a vote of no confidence in the Minister of Health, Łukasz Szumowski. Ritual, because PiS has the majority so it can reject the motion. It was only voting that was left when the PiS chairman, Jarosław Kaczyński, started to insult the opposition MPs.

 

It seemed as if all the parliamentary emotions on 4 June 2020 were exhausted by the afternoon debate on the vote of confidence for Mateusz Morawiecki’s government. The motion for the vote suddenly submitted by the prime minister actually became an election rally for Andrzej Duda: the head of the government praised the president and rebuked the opposition from the rostrum, accusing it of “provoking”, “inciting” and “stirring”.

 

However, the head of Law and Justice, Jarosław Kaczyński, gave a new dose of emotions just before midnight, simultaneously correcting the prime minister’s words, deciding to present what “peace at the top”, which is PiS’ latest idea for Andrzej Duda’s election campaign, is supposed to be, based on his own example. Kaczyński called the opposition a “rabble”.

 

Opposition MP Barbara Nowacka (Koalicja Obywatelska – KO), clearly moved by Chairman Kaczyński’s words, responded. And she started: “I have heard about how the chairman is better several times, when he entered that cemetery which I couldn’t enter.” Nowacka’s mother MP Izabela Jaruga-Nowacka was one of the victims of  airplane crash in Smoleńsk in 2010. Then President of Poland Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria were also among the victims.

 

Nowacka alluded to a much publicized visit of Jarosław Kaczyński to Powązki Cementery in Warsaw on the crash’s 10th anniversary on 10 April 2020, when cemeteries in Poland were closed due to COVID-19-motivated restrictions on public gatherings.

 

 

Nowacka: “I have the impression that Chairman Kaczyński called us a rabble”

 

The motion for the vote of no confidence against Szumowski was filed by the members of the Civic Coalition (Koalicja Obywatelska – KO). The allegations against the minister apply to unclear situations described by the media at the point where the ministry of health and a businessman acquainted with the minister meet (this applies to an order for protective masks work several million zlotys, which did not meet the safety standards), as well as multi-million zloty grants from the Scientific Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR) for the research company run by Szumowski’s brother, which were awarded to him, among others, at a time when Szumowski was the deputy minister of science to whom the NCBiR reports.

 

Speaking in his own defence, Szumowski stated that the opposition is taking advantage of media that is producing fake news about him. He mentioned four media: TVN, Wyborcza, Newsweek and OKO.press.

 

KO’s motion was being justified by MP Barbara Nowacka. When she started to speak, the head of the Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska – PO) party, Borys Budka, drew the attention of the Deputy Speaker of the Sejm, Ryszard Terlecki, to the behaviour of the PiS deputies: Nowacka was speaking, while Jarosław Kaczyński and the deputy prime minister and the minister of culture, Piotr Gliński, were standing with their backs towards her and were talking in the government benches. When Terlecki did not react, Budka went up to the podium and called on Kaczyński and Gliński to sit down and listen. “This is not your own property, Mr. Chairman,” he called out while he was returning to his seat.

 

Gliński aggressively replied to Budka that the vote of no confidence was “pure audacity and scandalous.” Terlecki did not react, he focused all his attention on Budka, ordering him to take his seat.

 

Confusion arose in the parliamentary room. However, the tension was already subsiding when Jarosław Kaczyński shouted to the opposition deputies from behind the government benches:

 

“There has never been such a boorish rabble in this Sejm!”

 

Gliński tried to cover up or even stop Kaczyński, but the words reached the opposition MPs. Voices were raised: “What is this supposed to be?” “He should apologise.” Terlecki did not react. He was still only addressing the opposition MPs.

 

“Please stop causing a row and sit still” – repeated Terlecki.

 

“Mr. Speaker, I have the impression that MP Kaczyński just called us a rabble”, said Nowacka sententially.

 

Nowacka: How dare he insult me

 

Deputy Marshal Terlecki ordered a five-minute break. When the session resumed, Barbara Nowacka again entered the podium, still clearly moved by Kaczyński’s words. However, she demonstrated a political reflection by positioning Kaczyński’s outburst of contempt in a broader context:

 

“Mr. Speaker, I have heard about how the chairman is better several times, when he entered that cemetery which I couldn’t enter because then his pain was greater than mine.”

 

At the same cemetery where my mother, a victim of the Smolensk disaster, is buried. But he went in, laid flowers for his mother and his brother, while others could not. And now, today, he dares to insult me!

 

We can see, once again, what PiS is. A new solidarity is developing among the people, those who supported the sick, those who sewed masks, and PiS once again showed us its cash cow change.

 

The arrogance we saw here in the hall, corruption, nepotism, these are your names, the new elite from PiS!”

 

At this point, Terlecki switched off Nowacka’s microphone.

 

Kaczyński’s relapse

 

This is not the first time that Jarosław Kaczyński was abusive to the opposition.

 

A similar episode took place on 18 July 2017 at 23:47, at a time when tens of thousands of Poles were protesting in the streets against the authority’s attack on the Supreme Court. The PiS leader shouted 30 words from the parliamentary rostrum.

 

“I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker, this is without a procedure. I know you’re afraid of the truth, but don’t wipe your treacherous mugs with the memory of my brother. You destroyed him, you murdered him, you are scoundrels.”

 

Jarosław Kaczyński also once attacked Agnieszka Pomaska from the PO party. During the blockade of the parliamentary rostrum by the opposition on 16 December 2016, he shouted to her “Go to hell”, and several hours later, he took her mobile phone and threw it on the ground.

 

This may hurt Duda

 

Kaczyński’s outburst of 4 June 2020 has a political dimension and may be harmful to President Duda’s campaign.

 

In the light of the weakening support for Andrzej Duda, the Law and Justice party has placed all its money on one horse, building the image of the head of state as a guarantor of “peace at the top” and of silencing political emotions. PiS’ slogan says that, after Duda’s re-election, there will be harmony and, instead of arguing, the politicians will work for the good of the Poles.

 

Kaczyński’s insults of the opposition are destroying this image, because they are proving, black on white, that the leader of the camp in power has a contemptuous attitude towards the opposition – and that part of the public that objects to PiS rule. According to the PiS chairman’s idea, “peace at the top” will only be possible if the opposition does not oppose the right-wing populists ruling in Poland. In other words, when it stops being an opposition.



Author


Everything you need to know about the rule of law in Poland


More

Published

June 8, 2020

Tags

Supreme CourtPolandConstitutional TribunalDisciplinary Chamberjudgesrule of lawdisciplinary proceedingsZbigniew ZiobroNational Council of the JudiciaryCourt of Justice of the EUjudicial independenceEuropean CommissionEuropean UnionAndrzej DudaMałgorzata ManowskaCourt of JusticeMinister of JusticeEuropean Court of Human RightsAdam BodnarIgor Tuleyadisciplinary systemmuzzle lawJarosław KaczyńskiNational Recovery PlanCJEUMateusz Morawieckineo-judgesCommissioner for Human RightsCourt of Justice of the European UnionPrzemysław RadzikWaldemar ŻurekdemocracyNational Council for JudiciaryPiotr Schabelectionspresidential electionsKamil ZaradkiewiczJulia Przyłębskamedia freedomcriminal lawelections 2023disciplinary commissionerharassmentprosecutionSupreme Administrative CourtHungaryelections 2020preliminary rulingsjudiciaryDagmara Pawełczyk-WoickaK 3/21First President of the Supreme CourtPaweł JuszczyszynNational ProsecutorRecovery FundPresidentMichał LasotaProsecutor GeneralŁukasz PiebiakBeata MorawiecprosecutorsEuropean Arrest Warrantfreedom of expressionConstitutionPrime MinisterSejmimmunityMaciej NawackiIustitiaRegional Court in KrakówCriminal ChamberCOVID-19Maciej FerekOSCEMałgorzata GersdorfcourtsVenice CommissionMarek SafjanMinistry of JusticeExtraordinary Control and Public Affairs ChamberEU budgetdisciplinary liability for judgesWojciech HermelińskiPiSNCJKrystian MarkiewiczStanisław PiotrowiczPresident of the Republic of PolandAleksander Stepkowskicommission on Russian influenceJustice FundTHEMISLabour and Social Security ChamberLaw and JusticeNational Public ProsecutorCouncil of Europecriminal proceedingsconditionalitycorruptionStanisław BiernatreformsAnna Dalkowskafreedom of assemblyconditionality mechanismWłodzimierz WróbelsuspensionPiotr GąciarekOrdo IurisReczkowicz and Others v. PolandparliamentMarcin RomanowskiAndrzej Stępkamedia independenceChamber of Professional LiabilityBroda and Bojara v PolandXero Flor w Polsce Sp. z o.o. v. PolandP 7/20K 7/21LGBTPresident of PolandNational Reconstruction PlanJarosław DudziczLex DudaProfessional Liability ChamberMay 10 2020 electionsStrategic Lawsuits Against Public ParticipationPiotr PrusinowskidefamationLex Super OmniamediaUrsula von der LeyenKrzysztof ParchimowiczEAWabortionMichał Wawrykiewiczelectoral codeAmsterdam District CourtNext Generation EUSLAPPConstitutional Tribunal PresidentDidier ReyndersTVPEwa ŁętowskaSenateParliamentary Assembly of the Council of EuropeLech GarlickiSylwia Gregorczyk-AbramArticle 6 ECHRAndrzej ZollNational Electoral CommissionFreedom HouseJarosław WyrembakJustice Defence Committee – KOSreformArticle 7acting first president of the Supreme CourtSupreme Court President2017PM Mateusz MorawieckipolicePiotr TulejaJerzy StępieńAndrzej RzeplińskiFerdynand RymarzStanisław RymarMałgorzata Pyziak- SzafnickaDariusz ZawistowskiOKO.pressreportSławomira Wronkowska-JaśkiewiczMirosław WyrzykowskiMarek ZubikDariusz KornelukMarzanna Piekarska-DrążekEuropean Parliamentmilestoneselectoral processAndrzej MączyńskiJózef IwulskiWojciech MaczugavetoOLAFViktor OrbanSzymon Szynkowski vel SękMaciej Miterajudcial independencecourt presidentsJanusz NiemcewiczTeresa Dębowska-RomanowskaMarek MazurkiewiczZiobroMirosław GranatWojciech ŁączkowskiBiruta Lewaszkiewicz-PetrykowskaStefan JaworskiAdam JamrózKazimierz Działochainsulting religious feelingsrestoration of the rule of lawright to fair trialXero Flor v. PolandLaw on the NCJKrakówstate of emergencydecommunizationBelarusAdam SynakiewiczAstradsson v IcelandK 6/21Joanna Hetnarowicz-SikoraCentral Anti-Corruption BureausurveillanceMariusz KamińskiPegasusEdyta BarańskaJoanna Misztal-KoneckaCivil ChamberUkraineSupreme Audit OfficeMarian BanaśKrystyna PawłowiczCCBERafał PuchalskiThe Council of Bars and Law Societies of EuropeMarek PietruszyńskiMichał Laskowskipublic opinion pollsmear campaignMariusz MuszyńskiHuman Rights CommissionerMaciej TaborowskiPaweł FilipekInternational Criminal CourtKonrad WytrykowskirecommendationaccountabilityJakub IwaniecDariusz DrajewicztransparencyFree CourtsBohdan Zdziennickiretirement ageSLAPPsPATFoxLGBT ideology free zoneslexTuskAdam Tomczyński11 January March in Warsawabuse of state resourcesEuropean Association of Judgespublic mediaEwa Wrzosekcourt changesC-791/19democratic backslidingcoronavirushuman rightscriminal codePiebiak gateelections fairnessZuzanna Rudzińska-BluszczJarosław GowinEU law primacyPiotr PszczółkowskiBelgiumtransferNetherlandscivil societyRussiaBogdan Święczkowskielections integrityintimidation of dissentersMarcin Warchołlex NGOGeneral Assembly of the Supreme Court JudgesAgnieszka Brygidyr-DoroszCrimes of espionageNCBiRJoanna KnobelKasta/AntykastaThe National Centre for Research and DevelopmentHater ScandalPaweł StyrnaGrzegorz FurmankiewiczDariusz BarskiJoanna Kołodziej-MichałowiczJustyna WydrzyńskaKrystyna Morawa-FryźlewiczEwa ŁąpińskaIrena BochniakZbigniew ŁupinaNational Broadcasting CouncilKatarzyna ChmuraStanisław ZdunLasotaAntykastaEuropean Anti-Fraud Office OLAFMarek JaskulskiRome StatuteCourt of Appeal in Warsawlex RaczkowskiCourt of Appeal in KrakówNational Council for the JudiciaryMarek Astgag lawsuitsAssessment ActAct sanitising the judiciaryenvironmentPorozumienie dla PraworządnościAgreement for the Rule of LawMaria Ejchart-DuboisPaulina Kieszkowska-Knapikstrategic investmentPiotr HofmańskiUS State DepartmentPutinismKaczyńskilex Wośdisinformationextraordinary commissionlegislationthe Spy ActZbigniew KapińskiAnna GłowackaHelsinki Foundation for Human RightsinvestmentMałgorzata Wąsek-WiaderekOsiatyński'a ArchiveJarosław MatrasPaulina AslanowiczPiotr Raczkowskict on the Protection of the PopulatioAndrzej SkowronoppositionDariusz DończykPetros TovmasyanJerzy KwaśniewskiPiotr MazurekGrzegorz PudaNational Recovery Plan Monitoring CommitteeinsultState TribunalDonald Tusk governmenttest of independencepilot-judgmentVěra JourováTomasz Koszewskiright to an independent and impartial tribunal established by lawJakub KwiecińskidiscriminationAnti-SLAPP DirectiveODIHRcivil lawDonald TuskJustice MinistryJoanna Scheuring-WielgusAction PlanAdam GendźwiłłElżbieta Jabłońska-MalikSebastian Mazurekjustice system reformJędrzej Dessoulavy-ŚliwińskiEuropean Court of HuMałgorzata FroncRafał LisakKarolina MiklaszewskaRadosław BaszukNGOFull-Scale Election Observation MissionWałęsa v. PolandAct on the Supreme CourtLech WałęsaMichał DworczykDworczyk leaksAleksandra RutkowskaE-mail scandalRafał WojciechowskidelegationsTomasz SzmydtEmilia SzmydtWatchdog PolskaArkadiusz CichockiKaspryszyn v PolandDobrochna Bach-GoleckaMonika FrąckowiakNCR&Delection fairnessIvan Mischenkomedia pluralism#RecoveryFilesWiesław Kozielewiczelectoral commissionsMarcin MatczakChamber of Extraordinary Control and Public AffairsMałgorzata Dobiecka-WoźniakArkadiusz RadwanMarcin KrajewskiBohdan BieniekGeneral Court of the EUKrzysztof Rączkarepairing the rule of lawPoznańNational School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution (KSSiP)Koan Lenaertscodification commissionKarol WeitzŁukasz BilińskiPKWhate speechGrzęda v PolandŻurek v PolandSobczyńska and Others v PolandRafał Trzaskowskimedia lawPrzemysła RadzikElżbieta KarskaJacek Czaputowiczhate crimesChamber of Extraordinary Verificationinfringment actionEU valuesENCJIsraelforeign agents lawOrganization of Security and Co-operation in EuropeFirst President of the Suprme CourtLGBT free zonesequalityPrzemysław Czarneklegislative practiceAK judgmentSimpson judgmentpublic broadcastermutual trustLMIrelandIrena MajcherAmsterdamthe Regional Court in WarsawOpenbaar MinisterieRegional Court in AmsterdamENAZbigniew BoniekOmbudsmanKraśnikNorwayNorwegian fundsNorwegian Ministry of Foreign AffairsC-487/19Article 10 ECHRUnited NationsLeon KierespopulismLIBE CommitteeFrans TimmermansUS Department of StateSwieczkowskiadvocate generalpress releaseRights and Values ProgrammeC-619/18defamatory statementsStanisław ZabłockiCouncil of the EUequal treatmentfundamental rightsCT PresidentEUWhite Paperlustrationtransitional justice2018Nations in TransitWorld Justice Project awardWojciech SadurskiAct of 20 December 2019repressive actKoen LenaertsharrassmentAlina CzubieniakGerard BirgfellerEwa Maciejewskapostal votepostal vote billlawyersLSOjudgePechKochenovEvgeni TanchevFreedom in the WorldECJFrackowiakAmnesty Internationaltrans-Atlantic valuesresolution of 23 January 2020Olsztyn courtoligarchic systemEuropean Public Prosecutor's OfficePolish National FoundationLux VeritatisMałgorzata BednarekPiotr WawrzykTVNjournalistslexTVNclientelismArticle 258Przemysła CzarnekEducation MinisterIpsosOlimpia Barańska-MałuszeHudocKonrad SzymańskiPiotr BogdanowiczPiotr Burasauthoritarian equilibriumPolish mediaRzeszówMichał WośMinistry of FinanceJacek SasinErnest BejdaThe First President of the Supreme CourtMaciej CzajkaMariusz JałoszewskiŁukasz RadkepolexitRoman GiertychWiktor JoachimkowskiborderprimacyEU treatiesAgnieszka Niklas-BibikSłupsk Regional CourtMaciej RutkiewiczMirosław Wróblewskiright to protestSławomir JęksaDolińska-Ficek and Ozimek v PolandTribunal of StateLeszek MazurCelmerC354/20 PPUC412/20 PPUAusl 301 AR 104/19Karlsruheact on misdemeanoursCivil Service ActForum Współpracy Sędziówmedia taxGermanyMariusz Krasońinterim measuresautocratizationMultiannual Financial Frameworkabortion rulingproteststhe NetherlandsDenmarkSwedenFinlandadvertising taxmediabezwyboruArticle 2Forum shoppingEuropean Economic and Social CommitteeSebastian KaletaC-156/21C-157/21Marek PiertuszyńskiNational Prosecutor’s OfficeBogdan ŚwiączkowskiRome IIBrussels IJacek KurskiKESMAIndex.huTelex.huJelenJózsef SzájerKlubrádióGazeta WyborczaPollitykaDisicplinary Chamber