“Americans are, of course, watching Poland’s elections. It matters to them because Poland matters—and because they see our enormous potential for growth. Still, it will be Polish women and men who choose the president,” said civic presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki in Chicago during an interview with reporter Rafał Stańczyk.
On the U.S. visit
Nawrocki has been in the United States for several days.
On Thursday he met in Washington with top‑ranking U.S. officials—among them President Donald Trump.
Today he is in Chicago, where he will march with the Polish‑American community in the May 3rd Constitution Day Parade. Speaking beneath the Tadeusz Kościuszko monument, he addressed both the day’s celebrations and his Washington meetings two days earlier.
The May 3rd message
“The core message is tied to the anniversary of the May 3rd Constitution—the first in Europe and the second worldwide to declare who we truly are. It reminds us we are one nation whether we live in the Republic or abroad.
These encounters with the Polish diaspora, which so carefully preserves our historical memory, also show how precious Poland is.
Today we focus on commemorating the Constitution—a landmark of citizenship, freedom and expanded civil rights, drafted astonishingly early, in the 18th century. It is a reminder that we must care for Poland every single day. The Constitution sought to repair and reform the state but ultimately failed; throughout the 19th century Poland was partitioned. That places a heavy responsibility on us now to safeguard this great good that is Poland.”
Polish‑American relations
Gesturing to the Kościuszko statue, Nawrocki stressed its symbolism:
“This monument testifies to our ties. They rest on shared values—independence, democracy, devotion to one’s homeland. Kościuszko is a hero of both Poland and the United States; the statue dates to the early 1900s.
Polish‑American relations have been forged over centuries and can’t be viewed only through a short‑term political lens. They demand constant care because they underpin our security—defence, new technologies, economic growth.
The next Polish president must continue this work. Today, President Andrzej Duda is the sole guarantor of these ties. In the coming election we must decide whether the partnership symbolised by this monument will endure and whether Poland and the U.S. will keep building a strong NATO alliance and a bright future.”
Takeaways from Washington
Reflecting on Thursday’s talks, he said they focused on “how Polish‑American relations should look, how they look now, and what issues lie ahead.”
“You could sense that Poland is an important European partner for the United States, and that the entire eastern flank of NATO matters to them.
Americans are observing Poland’s election because Poland is important and has vast development potential, which they recognise.
But it is Poles who will elect the president. I didn’t go to the White House to seek endorsements—I went to discuss matters that will be crucial for Poles once I become president. There is not a day to lose; these relations require stewardship, because the U.S. is our key partner.”