The National Security Institute Foundation is preparing a report on the current presidential campaign in Poland. Stanisław Żaryn, advisor to Andrzej Duda and also involved in the work of the Institute, in announcing the forthcoming release of the report, states that the ending campaign has been the dirtiest and most brutal election campaign in recent years.
Stanisław Żaryn has published several theses from the report on his social media profile.
“At this point, in brief, it looks like this:
- The entire state apparatus was mobilized to fight against Karol Nawrocki.
- Public administration under the control of Civic Platform (PO) politicians began functioning as an election campaign headquarters.
- Materials collected by state institutions, including those under legal protection, were used to attack Nawrocki.
- Attacks on Nawrocki relied on materials based on unreliable witnesses.
- Actions against Nawrocki have the character of an informational and psychological operation aimed at discrediting him.
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the government, as part of the election battle, introduced untrustworthy individuals into the mainstream, including a “pathocelebrity.” The Prime Minister personally promoted this person’s revelations.
- In the course of the campaign, the Prime Minister attacked the Internal Security Agency (ABW), which is subordinate to him, undermining its actions related to the vetting of Karol Nawrocki—even though Nawrocki had been vetted during previous PO-PSL governments.
- The Prime Minister conducted manipulative operations during the campaign by presenting shocking theses about attacks on Poland by Russian special services—falsely claiming these attacks primarily targeted PO. These actions aimed to promote a distorted image of a government allegedly under attack by Russia. This narrative was picked up internationally.
- German media, foundations, and even public entities are supporting Rafał Trzaskowski while consistently depreciating Nawrocki. Their involvement is based on manipulations concerning the situation in Poland.
- As part of their disinformation operations, Russian intelligence services focused on discrediting Nawrocki while mocking Trzaskowski to a lesser extent. These Russian actions, using active measures, provided a tactical advantage to the government and Trzaskowski. One such Russian provocation was used directly by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to attack Nawrocki.
- Due to the actions of the Polish government, the Law and Justice Party (PiS) was deprived of its entitled party funding, weakening Karol Nawrocki’s ability to conduct his campaign.
- A majority of media outlets from the liberal-left mainstream joined the disparaging efforts based on manipulated sources.
- Government institutions, including special services and the NASK (Research and Academic Computer Network), failed to respond to campaigns manipulating public opinion in support of Rafał Trzaskowski and against Karol Nawrocki and Sławomir Mentzen. Some of these campaigns were organized by groups aligned with the government’s candidate. These campaigns continue to influence Poles to this day.”
Żaryn also adds:
“The election campaign is extremely one-sided, and it’s hard to speak of fair political competition. It seems the ruling authorities have gone all-in, hoping to seize full control in Poland. Unfortunately, to this day, there is no indication that their motivation lies in realizing ambitious modernization projects, strengthening Poland, or fulfilling promises and programmatic goals. The government remains largely focused on revenge. A number of questions arise regarding the deep involvement of the German side, which openly supports the government’s candidate.”