PM Tusk in party leadership debate challenge

Jaroslaw Gowin (right) with Donald Tusk during happier times before the now former justice minister was sacked from the cabinet: photo - PAP (archives)

Former justice minister Jaroslaw Gowin, sacked from the Civic Platform-led government in May this year, has written an open letter to Prime Minister Tusk challenging him to a debate.

“Research shows that two-thirds of Poles want a debate. They need to be shown respect and they need to be restored with hope,” Gowin writes in the letter, referring to a new opinion poll by TNS Polska which suggests Poles want to see a debate over policy between the two politicians.

“You should not be afraid to debate with me,” the conservative former justice minister writes.

Results of the party leadership election will be released in late August, but Gowin has accused the prime minister of dodging a televised debate over the centre-right Civic Platform's “basic principles”.

Gowin clashed with Tusk when he was in the ruling coalition cabinet over social issues, including state funding for IVF treatment and civic partnerships, which he is against.

Jaroslaw Gowin claims that Donald Tusk has moved away from Civic Platform's main message to voters – free market plus a conservative stance on social issues – and has accused the PM of making government policy on the basis of opinion poll findings. (pg)

source: PAP