Presidential candidates clash over Ukraine, migration, and criminal ties
In a tense debate, centrist Rafal Trzaskowski and right-wing candidate Karol Nawrocki sparred over Ukraine’s NATO bid, the EU migration pact, alleged ties to criminal figures, and past involvement in football hooliganism.
The televised event ahead of the run-off due to take place on June 1 was co-organised by public television and private broadcasters TVN24 and Polsat News. Its format did not include questions from journalists but was based on the candidates putting questions directly to one another. The debate was divided into six thematic segments: health, international policy, the economy, social policy, security, and worldview.
During the debate, Trzaskowski accused Nawrocki of echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin's rhetoric on Ukraine's NATO accession. "You're speaking Putin's language," he said. Nawrocki countered: "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'."
Trzaskowski questioned Nawrocki's past ties with "gangsters" and participation in football fan street fights. Nawrocki replied that all his "sporting activities" were "fair competition" based on "the strength of my heart, muscles, and fists."
In a dramatic moment, Nawrocki handed Trzaskowski a photo of him with a man he called the "paedophile from Targowek." Trzaskowski responded: "Hundreds of thousands take photos with me. I don’t know them all. But you boast about your ties with underworld figures."
On Ukraine and migration, both candidates distanced themselves from the EU migration pact. Nawrocki pledged to unilaterally withdraw from the EU migration pact if elected, arguing that Poland should focus on deportation rather than integration.
"We need deportation centres for illegal migrants, not centres for their integration," Nawrocki said, calling illegal migration "a major problem."
Trzaskowski responded that "the migration pact will never come into force," adding, "I ensured EU documents stated that if we help Ukrainians, we won't take anyone else." Nawrocki accused him of lying and demanded he name the source. Trzaskowski cited a 2015 regulation.
The two also clashed over the so-called visa scandal. Trzaskowski referenced a Supreme Audit Office (NIK) report claiming 300,000 visas were issued to illegal immigrants by the former government of the socially-conservative Law and Justice (PiS), which supports Nawrocki's running for president. Nawrocki countered that it was only 300, as confirmed by a parliamentary commission.
Trzaskowski promised not to raise taxes, to which Nawrocki replied, "Easy to promise." He also accused Trzaskowski of neglecting child psychiatry in Warsaw, where he has been mayor since 2018, claiming waits at some clinics stretch to 2030.
Nawrocki, accused his rival of seeking to privatise Poland's healthcare system, arguing that Warsaw was "in the process of privatising healthcare."
"You want to do this with all of Poland," he said. Trzaskowski replied that PiS were "the ones who were closing down hospitals." He accused Nawrocki of telling lies and added that he managed 120 outpatient clinics and 10 hospitals in Warsaw.
Nawrocki further told his rival that the waiting time for an appointment with a child psychiatrist in the Polish capital is over three years. Trzaskowski denied this and said that a network of psychiatric clinics and scholarships for psychiatric specialists had been established in Warsaw.
He further argued that PiS stigmatised children conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and that the former government had eliminated central financing for the IVF procedure.
Nawrocki replied that he would not support any in vitro initiatives.
On civil partnerships, Nawrocki said he is open to recognising "closest person" status, regardless of sexual orientation. He also denied any plan to pardon politicians if elected.
After the debate, Nawrocki claimed it secured his victory. Trzaskowski argued it proved the need for an experienced leader who can work with the government.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who supports Trzaskowski's candidature, commented online: “After this, Nawrocki will lose his taste for 'street fights' for life." (PAP)
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