In brief

• The article covers a song performed by PiS MP Michał Wójcik during a live broadcast from the protest outside the Constitutional Tribunal.
• Critics mocked the contrast between the broadcaster's "coup d'état" rhetoric and the musical number.
• Wójcik defended the performance, saying singing lifts morale.

The performance

On Wednesday evening, during a live broadcast by Telewizja Republika from the protest outside the Constitutional Tribunal, Michał Wójcik sang "Jak minął dzień", a hit by Krzysztof Krawczyk, together with journalist Miłosz Kłeczek. (Wójcik tłumaczy się z występu pod TK. "Śpiew podnosi morale" – Wirtualna Polska) (Wcześniej zamach stanu, teraz śpiew. Kpiny z występu posła PiS u Miłosza Kłeczka – Wirtualnemedia.pl)

Reactions

The performance quickly drew sharp comments on social media. Critics mocked the contrast between the rhetoric of a "coup d'état" used by the broadcaster and the decision to stage a light musical number. (Poseł PiS zaśpiewał piosenkę na proteście pod TK. W sieci wybuchła burza – dorzeczy.pl) Ruling-coalition politicians joked about it, and a Konfederacja MP called the event a farce.

Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said he had laughed at the performance and suggested that such appearances would be welcome in parliament. (Po występie pod TK Waldemar Żurek ma propozycję dla posła PiS. "Droga w dobrym kierunku" – Onet) The Sejm marshal was also asked about the incident.

Wójcik's explanation

Wójcik published a statement in which he said singing raises morale and shows that people are not living in constant fear of the current government. He also argued that an earlier part of the same gathering had featured nearly an hour of patriotic songs, and he hit back at commentators who watch the protest from home. (Fala kpin po występie posła PiS i Kłeczka przed TK. Polityk odpowiada – Wirtualna Polska)

The Telewizja Republika stage has drawn criticism beyond the singing. The station has also presented vulgar banners aimed at Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński and sold a limited-edition watch to viewers at the protest. (Tak Republika "broni" Trybunału. Od hitów disco do sprzedaży zegarków – Wirtualna Polska) (Kuriozalne sceny przed Trybunałem Konstytucyjnym. W sieci burza. "Tusk już nic nie musi" – Onet)