Marshal of the Sejm of Poland in the Riigikogu: we need to give exhausted people hope

The Marshal began his speech with a thought from General Johan Laidoner which he quoted in Estonian: “I am a state figure of independent Estonia.” Hołownia felt that these words reflected one of the most important things in our lives. “It is not important whether we are politicians or normal citizens. I am talking about pride. I am talking about a deep value that springs from the feeling that we are part of a community, that we are together, because as human beings, we are not created to be alone,” he said.

“General Laidoner who was the commander of your armed forces during very difficult times was also a visionary. He knew that our geopolitical position is what it is and will not change for the next generations. We are still here,” Hołownia said but admitted that this was both a legacy and a big challenge. “We are hit by aggressive policies from the east, from Russia every day. We see it daily on our eastern border in Poland. Migration pressure, hybrid war, Lukashenka and Putin are trying to carry this out in a very vulnerable part of Europe.”

Hołownia has seen at elections in Poland and other European countries that the people are exhausted because they have had to survive five huge crises over the past ten years. “Right now, in our societies there is no division between the right and the left, it seems that there is more of a division between the elite and the common people. This is what populists are using to their advantage. Because they are talking to people who are exhausted by crises,” he said.

The Marshal stressed that he was working on convincing his colleagues that they should not try to sell fear to people. “Do not try to be the best seller of fear. Try to be the seller of help, the seller of hope because hope sells. Populists tell us that only fear sells because afterwards they can console people and these come running into their arms. But what should we do? We should show people that there is hope, there are responsible leaders, there are leaders who you can count on when you want to resolve your problems and the world is crumbling down around us,” he advised.

Hołownia also stressed the importance of continuing close parliamentary cooperation. “Let’s build something together. Poland does not want to be only a powerhouse in Eastern Europe, we want to belong to your club. We want to be a Baltic state, we want to be a Nordic country. So when we come to knock on your door and ask you to let us in, please let us in because we are very experienced. I think that although Putin’s policy is to try to split us up, we need to stand against this and remain united,” he declared.

The Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Szymon Hołownia is currently on a visit to Estonia and will meet President Alar Karis, President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, and Prime Minister Kristen Michal. Hołownia will also visit Estonia’s cyber innovation centre Foundation CR14 and lay a wreath at the submarine ORP Orzeł commemorative plaque.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Marshal of the Sejm of Poland in the Riigikogu: we need to give exhausted people hope

Source: Parliament of Estonia