Poland Debate: Ethics, Abortion, Security
In a high-stakes televised debate aired Monday by TVP, TVN, and Polsat, Polish presidential candidates clashed over ethics, security, and social policy, CE Report quotes PAP
Front-runner Rafał Trzaskowski of the Civic Coalition sharply criticized opponent Adam Nawrocki over a disputed real estate deal with an elderly man, suggesting Nawrocki lacked the "moral right" to seek office. Nawrocki defended himself, claiming he was targeted by an “operational game” and leaks from state services.
Third Way’s Szymon Hołownia accused Nawrocki of fraud and pledged never to pardon politicians, while Together party’s Adrian Zandberg promised to veto housing subsidies favoring developers.
On security, Nawrocki vowed not to send Polish troops to Ukraine and rejected an EU-level NATO alternative. Trzaskowski pushed for 5% of GDP on defense and supported progressive social policies, including legal abortion and access to emergency contraception—issues current President Duda has vetoed.
Debate over Poland’s demographic crisis exposed divides: Trzaskowski backed immediate liberalization of abortion laws, Zandberg and New Left’s Magdalena Biejat supported reproductive rights, while Nawrocki argued for a return to “pro-family values.” Hołownia proposed a national referendum.
Independent candidate Krzysztof Stanowski attacked TVP for moderator bias, calling journalist Dorota Wysocka-Schnepf a “high priestess of propaganda.”
