Deputy Speaker of the lower house of parliament Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska and Poznań Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak are running in primary elections for the grouping’s presidential candidate.
The presidential hopefuls shared their views on topics related to foreign policy, health, economy and the environment.
In the pre-election debate, Kidawa-Błońska said: “I am a candidate because I am a woman, and a woman will be better able to bridge the divisions in society.”
Jaśkowiak presented himself saying: “I promise I will always side with the humiliated and the weak."
While both candidates shared views on many topics, one of the contending issues was that concerning Poland’s energy sector.
Kidawa-Błońska said Poland should abandon coal by 2035. She said that though difficult, such decisions cannot be put off, especially since coal deposits are running out. Kidawa-Błońska said: "There is no reason for us to import coal from Russia.”
Jaśkowiak said that the country would not be able to give up coal earlier than in 20-30 years, also pointing to the problem of energy poverty, especially in smaller towns. He added that it was possible to continue using coal by eliminating, for example, the most harmful forms of emissions.
The party’s primary elections are scheduled to be held on December 14.
(aba)
Source: PAP, IAR