Polish debates heat up as Trzaskowski and Nawrocki clash over Ukraine and Zelenskyy
Polish presidential candidates Rafał Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki (Photo: Getty Images)
During the recent Polish TV debates, the topic of Ukraine sparked intense discussions. Both candidates exchanged sharp statements and also mentioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Crimea, reports PAP.
During Friday’s TV debate, both candidates, Karol Nawrocki and Rafał Trzaskowski, were supposed to ask each other three questions within six thematic blocks focused on:
- healthcare,
- international politics,
- economy,
- social policy,
- security,
- and worldview.
Issues like migration and Ukraine repeatedly came up during the discussion.
Specifically, Nawrocki accused his opponent of lying when he claimed that he was the one who wrote into EU documents that if Poland helps Ukrainians, it will not accept anyone else.
Nawrocki asked the Civic Coalition candidate Trzaskowski to specify the exact document, to which Trzaskowski replied that it referred to a 2015 resolution.
"I don't think there was already a war in Ukraine in 2015," Nawrocki said.
However, Trzaskowski responded by noting that the occupation of Crimea already constitutes a war.
During the security questions segment, Trzaskowski asked Nawrocki, among other things, about his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, pointing out that Nawrocki’s stance on the issue mirrors that of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
"I speak the language of Polish people... Millions want to say that (Ukrainian President Volodymyr - PAP) Zelensky mistreats us, but they're silenced with 'you're spreading Putin's propaganda," Nawrocki stated.
In his view, as someone persecuted by Russia, he can be the voice of those who disagree with Ukraine flooding us with grain and creating unfair competition conditions.
Comments after the debates
After the debates, Nawrocki told journalists that he did not learn anything new from Trzaskowski but claimed that the debates themselves would supposedly secure his victory in the presidential elections.
Trzaskowski, on the other hand, argued that the focus should be on experience and on those who will cooperate with the government.
Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki became involved in a scandal during Friday’s debates. He was allegedly suspected of drug addiction.
Notably, on Sunday, May 18, Poland held the first round of its presidential election. None of the candidates managed to secure more than 50% of the vote, which means there will be a runoff between Karol Nawrocki and Rafał Trzaskowski.
According to an Opinia24 poll, the majority of Poles are likely to support Nawrocki in the second round.
Nawrocki recently promised to block Ukraine’s accession to NATO, a stance that Poland’s current Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, condemned as treasonous rhetoric.
