Poland’s political parties are being compelled to focus on the Internet for their forthcoming electoral campaigns, as several traditional methods of promotion have been banned under new laws.
Campaigns for the autumn’s ballot, whose date has been unofficially set by President Bronislaw Komorowski as taking place on 9 October, will formally commence in August, but this year parties are prohibited from using billboards and television commercials.
As a result, the Internet is emerging as a key battleground for the competing parties.
“The Internet campaign may not yet fully decide the election outcome, but it counts for about 60 percent of the result,” an MP from the ruling Civic Platform (PO) told the centre-right Rzeczpospolita daily. PO’s rivals are equally aware of the necessity to maximise Internet coverage.
“In two weeks time we will be launching several web projects,” revealed Mariusz Kaminski, MP from the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS). The new measures regulating campaign methods are also prompting parties to place more emphasis on door-to-door activity, going direct to the electorate.