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Updated 9.50pm
THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL in Cork has decided to cancel a debate that was planned for Sunday between rival right-wing Polish presidential candidates.
Marian Kowalski, the Presidential candidate for Ruch Narodowy (National Movement) is still set to debate independent candidate Grzegorz Braun in the Academy Hotel in Dublin tomorrow but a second debate in Cork will now not go ahead.
The cancellation comes after left wing groups in Ireland started planning protests at the events.
Kowalski’s inclusion in the debates immediately provoked controversy.
The National Movement campaigns for “the strengthening of Polish national identity” and is against what it terms “liberal-leftist propaganda” .
It uses strongly nationalistic symbols, black uniforms and encourages children to be “trained as young Poles”.
Braun is a Euroscpetic with strongly Christian views who writes for the Option Right magazine.
A Facebook page advertising the event said Polish people in Ireland have been “condemned to live a life outside or homeland” and encourages people to listen to the views of both men.
The events were being objected to by a number of left-wing groups with LookLeft Magazine organising a counter-protest.
Organisers of the counter-protest entitled ‘Dublin Says No to Fascism‘ said they intend to put in place a peaceful picket at the Academy Hotel in Dublin tomorrow.
The event organisers say they want to “highlight the presence of Polish extreme right and fascist politicians in our city – a no go area for fascists.”
The Cork meeting was opposed by Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien who said Kowalski’s policies support a “racist and supremacist ideology”.
He contacted management at the Cork hotel today to express his concern about the public meeting.
“I am happy to say that the management have since replied to me to say that they cancelled the event,” he said. “I comment the management of the hotel for making this decision.
I am opposed to any group which promotes racist and homophobic ideology. Ruch Narodowy is unashamedly so.
“It is the responsibility of everybody in society to challenge fascism and any channel used by such organisations to advance their racist ideology.”
- Additional reporting by Michelle Hennessy.
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