After a year and a half of governance by the December 13 coalition, Poles now have the opportunity to evaluate it and decide whether they want to grant full power to Donald Tusk or prefer that it remains under some form of control. While we are formally choosing between two other candidates, Karol Nawrocki and Rafał Trzaskowski, the consequences of this election will be as I have described.
The President in the Polish Constitution does not hold a decisive role but still wields considerable influence, which is why their views, background, and strength of character are so crucial.
Rafał Trzaskowski likely has some views, but like Tusk, he is not particularly attached to them. I am unaware of any values he would defend at the cost of his career.
He is a man completely lacking in character and a pathological liar. What is most important is his political backing. These are primarily individuals whose room for manoeuvre is defined by Donald Tusk’s camp. And what is that camp? It is a mixture of foreign influences—primarily from Berlin—post-communist businessmen, former security service operatives, and the socio-political circle of the neo-Marxist left. In their worldview, there is no place for freedom of speech, and certainly not for independent media. Hence the furious attacks on TV Republika. During the debate with Nawrocki, Trzaskowski couldn’t restrain himself from attacking us. The lack of understanding of the need for strong, independent media is an obsession of both Tusk and Trzaskowski, but in their case, it reaches proportions dangerous to democracy.
Trzaskowski is not independent, and he will not be. In fact, Nawrocki is more of an enigma, as he is a man who shaped himself. A very strong character, though not without flaws. His election would certainly ensure that Tusk’s crew won’t dismantle Poland. He will not yield to Tusk, but—if life is any guide—sooner or later he will forge his own political path and backing. Hopefully, wisely.
Poland cannot afford to give Tusk even more power. We are not choosing between Nawrocki and Trzaskowski but between a free Poland and its decline.