Trzaskowski refuses to sign far-right demands, concurs with some
Polish centrist presidential candidate Rafal Trzaskowski from the governing Civic Coalition (KO) has rejected half of the demands posed by former far-right presidential candidate who failed to reach the upcoming run-off.
Slawomir Mentzen from the far-right Confederation party, who garnered 14.81 percent of the first-round vote, had invited two remaining second-round candidates for "a talk" on his YouTube channel to "ink a declaration" with far-right demands to show his voters which one "is worth voting for" ahead of the second round on June 1.
Karol Nawrocki, supported by the social-conservative opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, signed the "declaration" during a live discussion with Mentzen on Thursday.
Trzaskowski, who met Mentzen for a discussion on Saturday night, refused to sign Mentzen's "conditions" but the two agreed on four of the eight points of the declaration.
"I will not sign anything, because I am not Karol Nawrocki," he said.
However, Trzaskowski pledged he would not sign any laws that increase taxes or public levies, would not allow Polish soldiers to be sent to Ukraine, would not agree to restrict access to cash and would not tighten regulations limiting access to firearms.
At the same time, Trzaskowski unequivocally declared, contrary to Mentzen's demands, that he was in favour of Ukraine's admission to NATO.
"I would rather Putin knock out all his teeth in Ukraine, not in Poland," he said.
"I am in favour of ... Ukraine being part of Europe, not in Putin's hands. Putin only understands the language of force and will not continue the war only if there are security guarantees," Trzaskowski added.
"If there are no security guarantees, especially American ones, Putin will arm himself and attack again. When he sees that we are weak, there is a risk that he will go further," he argued.
The politicians also failed to reach an agreement on two issues - new EU treaties and transferring powers from Polish authorities to EU institutions.
Asked by Mentzen whether he would sign the ratification of any new EU treaties that could diminish Poland’s sovereignty, such as taking away the right of veto, Trzaskowski replied that the unanimity principle should be maintained in EU foreign policy.
"Because we have mechanisms like constructive abstention. We also have the possibility ... where countries can establish enhanced cooperation and move forward without other countries," he said.
The two also had divergent opinions on laws restricting freedom of expression.
Trzaskowski said he had always been a very strong opponent of hate speech, which "he wants to and will fight against."
Asked whether, as president, he would sign a law restricting the freedom to express views consistent with the Polish constitution, Trzaskowski replied: "we are talking about freedom of speech, which is one of the most important values, but, on the other hand, we are talking about the issue of, for example, hate speech, which is simply prohibited."
Addressing Mentzen's voters, Trzaskowski declared: "I will always look for what unites us, but I will be principled in those matters that are most important to us."
Shortly after the live discussion ended, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski posted a video recording on the X platform showing himself, Trzaskowski and members of his campaign team sitting with Mentzen in his pub. (PAP)
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