Opposition PM candidate makes speech to parliament … on an iPad

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, with iPad, in parliament, Thursday: photo - PAP/Paweł Supernak

To the astonishment, and mirth, of some MPs, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Law and Justice (PiS) brandished the tablet and played a speech by Prof. Piotr Glinski, a sociologist which the party wants to see installed as prime minister in a 'government of experts'.

Because he is not a member of parliament, Prof. Glinski was not allowed into the chamber to speak, so Jaroslaw Kaczynski presented his 'virtual' critique of the government instead.

“We have to deal with the crisis in Poland. The current government cannot deal with solving Poles' most important problems,” said PiS's candidate for prime minister.

“This cannot be true,” tweeted government spokesman Pawel Gras, as Prof. Glinski outlined Law and Justice policy.

“Jaroslaw Kaczynski has an iPad!” Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also tweeted, noting that the conservative leader is not known for his interest in new technology.

When asked why she had not intervened, speaker of parliament, Ewa Kopacz said that though Jaroslaw Kaczynski was “bending the rules” she did not want to be accused of “gagging” the opposition leader and let the debate continue as the “lesser of two evils”.

Because this is the first time anyone had played a speech to lawmakers on an iPad it was unprecedented and not covered by any rules of the house.

“The only solution is to change the rules so this will not be repeated in the chamber again,” Kopacz said, adding that she is in consultation with lawyers on the issue.

The no confidence motion was defeated on Friday morning, with 236 MPs voting against, 137 for with 41 abstentions. (pg)