Latest news with #Poles'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Nawrocki: nationalist historian predicted to win Polish presidency
WARSAW: Nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki, who is predicted to have won Sunday's presidential election in Poland, is a former amateur boxer with a particular interest in the criminal underworld. The 42-year-old Nawrocki has been endorsed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, which governed Poland from 2015 to 2023. The party is closely allied with outgoing President Andrzej Duda -- who has publicly backed Nawrocki -- and is a long-standing rival of the ruling Civic Coalition. Nawrocki campaigned under the slogan 'Poland first, Poles first'. While he has pledged to continue Poland's support for neighbouring Ukraine against Russia's invasion, he has denounced the benefits given to war refugees. He said in a campaign video in April that 'social benefits will be above all for Poles' and that 'in queues for doctors and clinics, Polish citizens must have priority'. In May, he claimed Ukraine 'has not shown gratitude for what Poles have done' and accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of 'insolence'. He opposes Ukraine's bid to join NATO. - Photos with Trump - Nawrocki is an admirer of Donald Trump and has said Poland should focus on shaping and leading Europe's relations with the US president. Nawrocki met Trump at the White House in May and claimed Trump had told him: 'You will win'. The two were shown giving a thumbs up in photos released by the White House. Some lawmakers from the governing coalition accused Trump of election interference. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also endorsed Nawrocki when she attended a conservative conference in Poland, saying: 'He needs to be the next president.' Nawrocki has called for controls on the border with Germany to keep out migrants, and would like Berlin to pay wartime reparations to Poland. While wooing voters during the campaign, Nawrocki signed an eight-point pledge prepared by far-right leader Slawomir Mentzen. The election campaign also saw Nawrocki embroiled in a series of scandals. While arguing against a property tax, he claimed to only own one flat. Later it was revealed he had acquired a second one through a convoluted deal with an elderly man. A bombshell news report also alleged he had arranged prostitutes for guests while working as a hotel security guard. Nawrocki called the accusations 'a bunch of lies' and said he would sue the news site. Born in the Baltic port city of Gdansk, Nawrocki boxed and played football in his youth before earning a PhD in history and an MBA. He served as the director of the World War II museum in Gdansk from 2017 to 2021. Since then, he has led the Institute of National Remembrance, which investigates Nazi and communist-era crimes. His research focused on Poland's anti-communist opposition, organised crime during the communist era and sports history. Last year, Russia added Nawrocki to its wanted list for his alleged efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments in Poland. Nawrocki said he obtained a gun licence and firearm after winding up in Russia's crosshairs. - Dual identity - Nawrocki has written several books, including one under a pen name that landed him in an unusual controversy. In 2018, he secretly published a book about the communist-era gangster Nikodem Skotarczak using the pseudonym Tadeusz Batyr. That same year, a blurred and voice-altered 'Batyr' appeared on state television claiming Nawrocki had inspired the book. Nawrocki later wrote on social media that Batyr had sought his advice and 'thanked me with an interesting book, which I recommend'. But local media recently uncovered that Batyr and Nawrocki were one and the same. Political opponents seized on the revelation. Nawrocki has also faced accusations of ties to gangsters and neo-Nazis, which he has rejected as 'deep manipulation', insisting his contacts were for professional purposes. 'No one has ever heard a good word from me about Nazism,' he said. Nawrocki speaks English and still boxes in his spare time. He has said Poland needs 'a strong president for tough times'. He lives with his wife, Marta, and has two children and an adult stepson.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Nawrocki predicted to win Polish presidency
WARSAW: Nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki, who is predicted to have won Sunday's presidential election in Poland, is a former amateur boxer with a particular interest in the criminal underworld. The 42-year-old Nawrocki has been endorsed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, which governed Poland from 2015 to 2023. The party is closely allied with outgoing President Andrzej Duda -- who has publicly backed Nawrocki -- and is a long-standing rival of the ruling Civic Coalition. Nawrocki campaigned under the slogan 'Poland first, Poles first'. While he has pledged to continue Poland's support for neighbouring Ukraine against Russia's invasion, he has denounced the benefits given to war refugees. He said in a campaign video in April that 'social benefits will be above all for Poles' and that 'in queues for doctors and clinics, Polish citizens must have priority'. In May, he claimed Ukraine 'has not shown gratitude for what Poles have done' and accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of 'insolence'. He opposes Ukraine's bid to join NATO. - Photos with Trump - Nawrocki is an admirer of Donald Trump and has said Poland should focus on shaping and leading Europe's relations with the US president. Nawrocki met Trump at the White House in May and claimed Trump had told him: 'You will win'. The two were shown giving a thumbs up in photos released by the White House. Some lawmakers from the governing coalition accused Trump of election interference. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also endorsed Nawrocki when she attended a conservative conference in Poland, saying: 'He needs to be the next president.' Nawrocki has called for controls on the border with Germany to keep out migrants, and would like Berlin to pay wartime reparations to Poland. While wooing voters during the campaign, Nawrocki signed an eight-point pledge prepared by far-right leader Slawomir Mentzen. The election campaign also saw Nawrocki embroiled in a series of scandals. While arguing against a property tax, he claimed to only own one flat. Later it was revealed he had acquired a second one through a convoluted deal with an elderly man. A bombshell news report also alleged he had arranged prostitutes for guests while working as a hotel security guard. Nawrocki called the accusations 'a bunch of lies' and said he would sue the news site. Born in the Baltic port city of Gdansk, Nawrocki boxed and played football in his youth before earning a PhD in history and an MBA. He served as the director of the World War II museum in Gdansk from 2017 to 2021. Since then, he has led the Institute of National Remembrance, which investigates Nazi and communist-era crimes. His research focused on Poland's anti-communist opposition, organised crime during the communist era and sports history. Last year, Russia added Nawrocki to its wanted list for his alleged efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments in Poland. Nawrocki said he obtained a gun licence and firearm after winding up in Russia's crosshairs. - Dual identity - Nawrocki has written several books, including one under a pen name that landed him in an unusual controversy. In 2018, he secretly published a book about the communist-era gangster Nikodem Skotarczak using the pseudonym Tadeusz Batyr. That same year, a blurred and voice-altered 'Batyr' appeared on state television claiming Nawrocki had inspired the book. Nawrocki later wrote on social media that Batyr had sought his advice and 'thanked me with an interesting book, which I recommend'. But local media recently uncovered that Batyr and Nawrocki were one and the same. Political opponents seized on the revelation. Nawrocki has also faced accusations of ties to gangsters and neo-Nazis, which he has rejected as 'deep manipulation', insisting his contacts were for professional purposes. 'No one has ever heard a good word from me about Nazism,' he said. Nawrocki speaks English and still boxes in his spare time. He has said Poland needs 'a strong president for tough times'. He lives with his wife, Marta, and has two children and an adult stepson.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Nawrocki: Nationalist historian vying for Polish presidency
WARSAW: Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist historian who has written about the criminal underworld, heads into Sunday's presidential run-off tied with his opponent, pro-EU Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. Nawrocki has been endorsed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, which governed Poland from 2015 to 2023. The party is closely allied with outgoing President Andrzej Duda -- who has publicly backed Nawrocki -- and is a long-standing rival of the ruling Civic Coalition. Nawrocki campaigned under the slogan 'Poland first, Poles first'. While he has pledged to continue Poland's support for neighbouring Ukraine against Russia's invasion, he has denounced the benefits given to war refugees. He said in a campaign video in April that 'social benefits will be above all for Poles' and that 'in queues for doctors and clinics, Polish citizens must have priority'. In May, he claimed Ukraine 'has not shown gratitude for what Poles have done' and accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of 'insolence'. He opposes Ukraine's bid to join NATO. - Photos with Trump - Nawrocki is an admirer of Donald Trump and has said Poland should focus on shaping and leading Europe's relations with the US president. Nawrocki met Trump at the White House in May and claimed Trump had told him: 'You will win'. Some lawmakers from the governing coalition have accused Trump of election interference. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also endorsed Nawrocki when she attended a conservative conference in Poland, saying: 'He needs to be the next president.' Nawrocki has called for controls on the border with Germany to keep out migrants, and would like Berlin to pay wartime reparations to Poland. While wooing voters ahead of the razor-edge run-off, Nawrocki signed an eight-point pledge prepared by far-right leader Slawomir Mentzen. The election campaign saw Nawrocki embroiled in a series of scandals. While arguing against a property tax, he claimed to only own one flat. Later it was revealed he had acquired a second one through a convoluted deal with an elderly man. A bombshell news report also alleged he had arranged prostitutes for guests while working as a hotel security guard. Nawrocki called the accusations 'a bunch of lies' and said he would sue the news site. Born in the Baltic port city of Gdansk, Nawrocki boxed and played football in his youth before earning a PhD in history and an MBA. He served as the director of the World War II museum in Gdansk from 2017 to 2021. Since then, he has led the Institute of National Remembrance, which investigates Nazi and communist-era crimes. His research focuses on Poland's anti-communist opposition, organised crime during the communist era and sports history. Last year, Russia added Nawrocki to its wanted list for his alleged efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments in Poland. Nawrocki said he obtained a gun licence and firearm after winding up in Russia's crosshairs. - Dual identity - Nawrocki has written several books, including one under a pen name that landed him in an unusual controversy. In 2018, he secretly published a book about the communist-era gangster Nikodem Skotarczak using the pseudonym Tadeusz Batyr. That same year, a blurred and voice-altered 'Batyr' appeared on state television claiming Nawrocki had inspired the book. Nawrocki later wrote on social media that Batyr had sought his advice and 'thanked me with an interesting book, which I recommend'. But local media recently uncovered that Batyr and Nawrocki were one and the same. One TikTok user said: 'Maybe they'll substitute Batyr for Nawrocki in the runoff. In any case, the one backs the other. That's two votes already.' Political opponents seized on the revelation. Nawrocki has also faced accusations of ties to gangsters and neo-Nazis, which he has rejected as 'deep manipulation', insisting his contacts were for professional purposes. 'No one has ever heard a good word from me about Nazism,' he said. Nawrocki speaks English and still boxes in his spare time. He has said Poland needs 'a strong president for tough times'. He lives with his wife, Marta, and has two children and an adult stepson.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Poland's far-right lays down demands to presidential hopefuls
WARSAW (Reuters) -The candidates still in the running to become Poland's president were given lists of demands from two far-right politicians supported by more than a fifth of voters on Tuesday, as they compete to broaden their appeal. Centrist front-runner Rafal Trzaskowski and his nationalist opponent Karol Nawrocki would need to gain a chunk of the votes that went to far-right candidates to have a chance of victory in a June 1 run-off. But the behaviour of these mainly young and anti-establishment voters is hard to predict. In particular Trzaskowski, from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO), could face a tricky balancing act as he tries to reach out to people who backed far-right Confederation party leader Slawomir Mentzen without alienating left-wing or centrist voters. In a recorded message, Mentzen, who finished third in the first round with 14.8%, said on Tuesday that he would invite Trzaskowski and Nawrocki to take part in a debate on his YouTube channel. "During the conversation, I will ask you to sign a declaration in line with the expectations of my voters," he said. The declaration included promises not to raise taxes, not to limit freedom of speech, not to send Polish troops to Ukraine, not to transfer powers to the European Union, and not to limit Poles' ability to carry weapons. Asked about Mentzen's invitation to a debate, Nawrocki, who is backed by opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), told a news conference that it was "a serious offer from a candidate who wants to talk about the future of Poland before giving his support", adding he should talk to Mentzen about an endorsement. Trzaskowski told reporters he had not yet made a decision on taking part in the debate. Meanwhile Grzegorz Braun, who in 2023 used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in the country's parliament, an incident that caused international outrage, published a list of questions for Trzaskowski and Nawrocki. These included whether they would stop the "Ukrainisation" of Poland - a reference to the hundreds of thousands of refugees from the neighbouring country - reject the EU's migration pact and Green Deal climate-change policies, oppose abortion and cease Hanukkah celebrations in the Presidential Palace. Braun finished fourth in the first round with 6.3%.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Poland's far-right lays down demands to presidential hopefuls
Slawomir Mentzen, the presidential candidate of the far-right Confederation party, reacts to the exit poll for the first round of Poland's presidential election, in Warsaw, Poland, May 18, 2025. REUTERS/Kasia Strek WARSAW (Reuters) -The candidates still in the running to become Poland's president were given lists of demands from two far-right politicians supported by more than a fifth of voters on Tuesday, as they compete to broaden their appeal. Centrist front-runner Rafal Trzaskowski and his nationalist opponent Karol Nawrocki would need to gain a chunk of the votes that went to far-right candidates to have a chance of victory in a June 1 run-off. But the behaviour of these mainly young and anti-establishment voters is hard to predict. In particular Trzaskowski, from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO), could face a tricky balancing act as he tries to reach out to people who backed far-right Confederation party leader Slawomir Mentzen without alienating left-wing or centrist voters. In a recorded message, Mentzen, who finished third in the first round with 14.8%, said on Tuesday that he would invite Trzaskowski and Nawrocki to take part in a debate on his YouTube channel. "During the conversation, I will ask you to sign a declaration in line with the expectations of my voters," he said. The declaration included promises not to raise taxes, not to limit freedom of speech, not to send Polish troops to Ukraine, not to transfer powers to the European Union, and not to limit Poles' ability to carry weapons. Asked about Mentzen's invitation to a debate, Nawrocki, who is backed by opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), told a news conference that it was "a serious offer from a candidate who wants to talk about the future of Poland before giving his support", adding he should talk to Mentzen about an endorsement. Trzaskowski told reporters he had not yet made a decision on taking part in the debate. Meanwhile Grzegorz Braun, who in 2023 used a fire extinguisher to put out Hanukkah candles in the country's parliament, an incident that caused international outrage, published a list of questions for Trzaskowski and Nawrocki. These included whether they would stop the "Ukrainisation" of Poland - a reference to the hundreds of thousands of refugees from the neighbouring country - reject the EU's migration pact and Green Deal climate-change policies, oppose abortion and cease Hanukkah celebrations in the Presidential Palace. Braun finished fourth in the first round with 6.3%. (Reporting by Alan Charlish, Pawel FlorkiewiczEditing by Peter Graff)
