The MP was attacked by a man. “What he said was worse than physical harm”

Marta Wcisło, an MP from the Civic Platform, was attacked on September 25 at a market in Opole Lubelskie when she was handing out election materials. The 55-year-old man started shaking her and shouting: “people like you need to be killed”, “you are not Poles”. In an interview with us, the politician talks about aggression in Polish political life and why many women resign from participating in elections.

Natalia Kondratiuk-Świerubska, Głos.gazeta.pl: A few days ago, you were attacked by a supporter of the ruling party. Did anyone from that political side contact you with a word of support or criticism of this man’s behavior?

Marta Wcisło, MP from the Civic Platform: I’d be surprised if that happened. There was no reaction from them. They stood in front of me and handed out leaflets. They saw the whole incident perfectly. What’s more, the man who attacked me had previously been standing at their stand and talking to them. This shows that this alleged concern for citizens is one big fiction.

Have you experienced such aggression from voters in previous years?

I have been in politics since 2006 and have participated in many election campaigns. Some kind of anger, dissatisfaction or verbal attacks have always occurred. For example, once, when I was a councilor and I exposed certain irregularities, I heard from the voivodeship marshal in the forum of the entire council that I was unworthy to hold my position. He added that I was only good for advertising oil. This was obviously a reference to my hairstyle.

We may hear the opinion that this campaign is different from the previous ones.

From my perspective, there has never been a campaign as aggressive and even vulgar as the current one. This aggression manifests itself in different ways. Our election materials are systematically destroyed. Such behaviors lead to a spiral. For example: a person sees a vandalized banner or poster of his candidate. And then he can do the same with his opponent’s materials. However, during meetings with voters, I hear terrible things from supporters of the ruling party. It is often something that politicians or TVP employees have said before.

What did you happen to hear?

For example: “Get out of our country” or recently very often: “You wanted to give us back to the Russians.” In the Lublin region, where I come from, topics related to our eastern neighbors are extremely sensitive. Therefore, speaking to voters in such language is a conscious incitement of hatred on the part of politicians. This is extremely irresponsible in my opinion.

And unfortunately it brings terrible results. I think the attack on you is a perfect example of this.

I still can’t understand why a person with whom I hadn’t exchanged a single word or even a glance suddenly attacked me, shouting: “That’s right, people like you need to be killed.”

How are you feeling a week after the attack?

I just came back from a visit to the doctor because I am still feeling the effects of this event. I hope these ailments will go away soon. However, I must point out that what this man said was much worse than physical harm. His words applied not only to me, but also to all people who think differently than him. In my opinion, this hatred comes from the statements of some politicians.

I see how it works on the example of someone close to me. She always watched “News” and that didn’t change in 2015. And even though she once voted for the Civic Platform, now she hates Donald Tusk with all her heart. When she sees him, she starts calling him names and says really terrible things. And this person has never shown such hatred towards anyone! I’m terrified that someone would trigger such feelings in her.

Unfortunately, this is the result of manipulation of public opinion and indoctrination by state television. In my opinion, there is nothing to be surprised about these people. They evaluate politicians of the ruling parties by their own standards. Moreover, they are trusting and believe in other people’s words. Because they are generally honest themselves. They don’t lie or steal, so why should those in power do it? However, if they hear only the worst things about people from the opposition, why wouldn’t they believe it?

The person I mentioned told me some time ago that Tusk is going to… ban going to Church. When I said it was a lie, I heard: “Why would they lie like that?” In turn, I recently heard from someone else that there is now a problem with employees in Poland because… the opposition was selling illegal visas for bribes. It seems to me that when someone hears this type of stuff, they automatically become rebellious and want to fight for their values ​​and beliefs.

How can you even say something like that? In my opinion, this is a low blow. These aren’t even lies. The word lie is probably even too delicate here. This is just bullshit.

Don’t you think that because of the aggression in the political debate, many people have lost interest in what is happening in the country? Recently it was reported that every second woman aged between 18 and 39 does not want to take part in these elections.

Due to aggression and arguments, many people do not want to participate in it. There is an attitude of “I don’t vote, it doesn’t concern me.” Nothing could be further from the truth! Especially we women shouldn’t think like that. After all, today it is mainly men who decide about our affairs!

Many women complain about various things that are happening in our country. And then they don’t go to the polls anyway. Over 100 years ago, women took to the streets to fight for their voting rights. Today we have them and we don’t use them. I really can’t understand this. So I have an appeal to all ladies. If you want to be independent, don’t let yourself be pushed around and take matters into your own hands!

I hope that appeals like this will reach as many women as possible. Thank you very much for the interview and I wish you all the best!