The “Non-Campaign” and the “Non-Elections” on the Internet in the 2020 “Spring” Presidential Election Campaign in Poland

Abstract

The article describes Internet-based campaigning by presidential candidates in Poland before the election date scheduled on 10th May 2020, an election which has not taken place due to the coronavirus pandemic. It also refers to the political and legal chaos that spread in Poland at that time. The campaign was peculiar, since, due to restrictions instigated to control the epidemic, candidates were deprived of the possibility to proceed with a direct campaign. As a result, the only possibility they had was to campaign in the media, especially the Internet. Apart from describing this bizarre non-campaign, which was not finalized by casting ballots, the article also attempts to draw more general conclusions on the importance and role of campaigning and election communication in social media.