Russia’s candidate in the Polish Presidential election now facing pushback

In the lead-up to Poland’s June 1 presidential runoff, conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki has drawn sharp criticism for echoing narratives reminiscent of Russian propaganda, raising concerns about his potential impact on Poland’s democratic trajectory.

During a televised debate on May 23, Nawrocki, backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, asserted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “treats Poland badly” and defended his opposition to Ukraine’s NATO bid by stating, “I speak the language of Poles.“

His opponent, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, accused him of using “Putin’s language,” highlighting the alignment of Nawrocki’s rhetoric with Russian talking points.

Nawrocki’s stance has not only alarmed domestic critics but also international observers. Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland publicly condemned his opposition to Ukraine’s NATO membership, emphasizing the detrimental effect such positions could have on Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Further fueling concerns, Nawrocki signed the so-called "Toruń Declaration", a set of demands issued by far-right leader Sławomir Mentzen. Among its provisions is an explicit rejection of Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the European Union.

Critics view this move as a strategic effort to appeal to the far-right electorate—at the risk of alienating Poland from its Western allies.

Journalists and political commentators have increasingly warned of Nawrocki’s ties to messaging that mirrors Russian narratives.

Onet.pl accused Nawrocki of repeating themes common in Kremlin disinformation—such as anti-Ukrainian sentiment, distrust of NATO, and emphasis on national grievance.

Trzaskowski has implied that Nawrocki’s campaign “uses Russia’s language far too comfortably.”

Moreover, Nawrocki’s background as head of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) has drawn scrutiny, with critics alleging the institution was politicized under his leadership to push nationalist and revisionist interpretations of history. These tendencies have drawn comparisons to Soviet-style historical manipulation.

His emphasis on national sovereignty, skepticism toward EU integration, and hostility to Ukrainian alignment with the West have prompted accusations that Nawrocki could steer Poland back toward the authoritarian tendencies of the Soviet era.

Political scientist Marek Migalski warned in a recent op-ed that Nawrocki represents “a risk of Polish political regression and strategic detachment from Europe.”

The outcome of the upcoming election is poised to determine Poland’s future direction—whether it continues on a path of European integration and democratic reform or veers toward nationalist isolationism.

As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the stakes have rarely been higher for the nation’s democratic values and international alliances.