In a surprising revelation, Karol Nawrocki, a potential contender for the presidency of Poland, has faced widespread ridicule for his past actions in disguise, praising his own book under a pseudonym. The book, which portrays the life of a gangster in 1980s communist Poland, was penned by Nawrocki himself under the pseudonym Tadeusz Batyr. In 2018, Nawrocki, disguised and with his face blurred, appeared on TV, lavishing praise on himself as Batyr, claiming to be inspired by the historian who first examined organized crime in communist Poland. Additionally, Nawrocki posted on social media about meeting the author Batyr, which further added to the embarrassment. Polish social media has been abuzz with mockery, with many questioning which persona, Nawrocki or Batyr, would run in the election.
When asked about the scandal, Nawrocki downplayed the significance of literary pseudonyms in Polish academia, and highlighted his courage to study organized crime. He distanced himself from Batyr’s lack of academic research. Known for his interest in the underworld, Nawrocki has connections with figures tied to organized crime and biker gangs, which he insists are strictly professional.
Nawrocki is currently trailing behind Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski in the presidential race, with Slawomir Mentzen, a far-right candidate, seeing a rise in popularity. The outcome of the election holds broader implications, as Poland is a crucial ally in Western support for Ukraine, and its stance on European and Atlanticism is closely monitored. The PiS party, which backs Nawrocki, blames European elites for the conflict in Ukraine and accuses the EU of attempting to meddle in the election.
The election is also significant for domestic policies. Three of Tusk’s coalition’s core promises—easier access to abortion, same-sex marriage, and rule of law reforms—have been vetoed by President Andrzej Duda, who aligns with PiS. The outcome could either disappoint Tusk’s supporters or energize the government if Civic Coalition secures a president who endorses their program. With under two months until the first vote, Trzaskowski leads in the polls, but Nawrocki is actively campaigning to convince voters that he, and not his created persona, should be their president.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78e8n2699no
