Karol Nawrocki, the presidential candidate endorsed by the Law and Justice party (PiS), and Rafał Trzaskowski, representing the Civic Coalition (KO), are preparing for the second round of the presidential election scheduled for 1 June. Both candidates seek to garner support from voters affiliated with candidates who have withdrawn from the race.
On Tuesday, Sławomir Mentzen, a pro-Kremlin candidate who secured third place in the first round with 14.81% of the vote, explained that his supporters are discerning and seek rational arguments. He has invited Trzaskowski and Nawrocki to meet and debate on his YouTube channel. During this discussion, Mentzen intended to propose that they sign a declaration reflecting the expectations and interests of his voter base.
However, Mentzen’s proposal was a trap. He and his extremist New Hope party, a member of the AfD-led Europe of Sovereign Nations Group at the European Parliament, promote Vladimir Putin‘s views concerning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
One of the most crucial demands of the Kremlin towards Ukraine and the West is a ban on Ukraine’s accession to NATO. Mentzen advocates for this and much more, such as stopping the Polish support for Ukraine, etc. The declaration he sent to the two candidates obliges them, among other things, to not sign the law on the ratification of Ukraine’s accession to NATO if elected president. The PiS-supported Karol Nawrocki agreed and signed this postulate, according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s post on X.
Nawrocki didn’t deny his agreement with Mentzen’s views and replied on X.
“I accept the invitation and I am ready to sign these proposals. We will discuss the rest on your channel. See you soon,” Nawrocki replied to Mentzen with a post on his X account.
He also went to Mentzen’s YouTube channel and signed the declaration!
“Mr. Sławomir, thank you for the discussion about matters important to Poland,” Nawrocki said at the end.
Such opportunism expressed by the PiS-backed candidate could easily cause him to accept more pro-Kremlin demands.
“The next one will be the capitulation and division of Ukraine. Deadly dangerous for Poland,” Tusk added.
What Mentzen proposed to the two candidates
According to the Polish media, the declaration proposed by Mentzen outlines eight key commitments, which include the following:
1. A pledge to refrain from signing legislation that would increase existing taxes, contributions, or fees or introduce new fiscal burdens.
2. A commitment to oppose any measures that restrict cash circulation and a dedication to safeguarding the integrity of the Polish zloty.
3. An assurance to protect the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Polish constitution by not endorsing any legislation limiting this right.
4. A promise to prevent the deployment of Polish soldiers to Ukraine.
5. A refusal to sign any act to ratify Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
6. An undertaking to protect Poles’ access to firearms by opposing any restrictive legislation.
7. A commitment to resist the transfer of any competencies from the authorities of the Republic of Poland to European Union institutions.
8. A pledge not to ratify any new EU treaties that might undermine Poland’s role, particularly regarding its voting power or the right of veto.
