– This is the most non -fruitful election campaign since I can remember. It should be noted that the presidential campaigns are always extremely personalized – we finally vote for a specific man, not a party. Now, however, the program has completely marginalized. Even the debates – numerous in this campaign – did not have a very programmatic character this time, and mainly such things as flags, Snus or numerous accusations about the private life of one of the candidates were pierced – says Dr Sergiusz Trzeciak, a political marketing expert and author of many books in an interview with Business Insider Polska.
And yet until recently it seemed that it would be a “hard” topics campaign. First of all, security, after all, the war in Ukraine continues, and the United States is considering reducing their military presence in Europe. There is also a purely economic axis of the political dispute – even a matter vetoed by Andrzej Duda a reduction in the health contribution. Voters – especially the recently strong confederation – are particularly excited about taxes. The issue of CPK was excited for a long time, the pandemic showed how big the problem we have with healthcare … Only that these topics in the campaign actually lived.
Algorithms rule the campaign?
– Certainly the lack of programming also results from the growing role of social media. They suggest exciting things to voters, and not necessarily important. Let's imagine that one candidate publishes a very substantive post about the election program, with many nuances. Would social media algorithms show such a post to users? I rather doubt – says Dr. Sergiusz Trzeciak.
– On the other hand – it must be admitted that during this debate there were some substantive, long conversations in social media – for example, at Mentzen or Stanski. This showed that recipients also want long, deepened forms. However, despite these conversations, no program topics would break in the campaign – neither taxes nor CPK, nor even security issues – adds the expert.
– Certainly the candidates themselves did not present any clear visions that Poland is to be. Even when they talked about the issue of e.g. hospitals, to attack the opponent, and not to present some suggestions – says Dr. Sergiusz Trzeciak.
The rest of the article is under video material
Our other interlocutor, the creator of the campaign, who prefers to maintain anonymity, in turn says that the campaign could not go differently, since such powerful news appeared as this Onet about the past of Karol Nawrocki as a bodyguard at the Grand Hotel. In addition, there were stories about the laws or snowing of the dream during the debates.
– It is a bit natural that in the light of such things, arguing with taxes is simply not not allowing voters. And it is also obvious that voters want to know the past of the candidates. Another thing is that the president also has quite limited competences in Poland, especially in tax issues – says one of our interlocutors.
Can anything change? Should we rather get used to the fact that the campaigns will be very emotional – and not necessarily focused on programs? The previous presidential campaign was also full of emotions, it broke in the matter of pardoning a pedophile or the issue of vaccines. And yet, it was more programmn than the present one. Our interlocutors point out that candidates from 2020 were simply much less controversial than, for example, Karol Nawrocki. But also social media, especially Tiktok, were not so popular at the time. It is difficult to forecast who can face the elections in five years – maybe they will be people arousing less emotions – and then it will be easier to focus on programs. On the other hand, Sergiusz Trzeciak suggests that the campaigns could be more programm if organizations such as lighthouse keeper – that are tracking the announcements of candidates – had a stronger position. Perhaps, however, from the fact that the algorithms rule campaigns, there is no turning back. And these emotions will reign, not taxes or even security.
See also
- It is 2030. Karol Nawrocki is fighting for re -election. This is what Poland looks like [POLITICAL FICTION]
- It is 2030, Rafał Trzaskowski is fighting for re -election. This is what Poland looks like [POLITICAL FICTION]
Author: Mateusz Madejski, Business Insider Polska journalist
