Karol Nawrocki, the leading opposition candidate in Poland’s upcoming presidential election, is facing increasing criticism over his acquisition of an apartment from an elderly pensioner. A recent poll indicates a decline in his support, and the Prime Minister has questioned his suitability for office.
Nawrocki, backed by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, is accused of misrepresenting his property ownership and acquiring an apartment from a vulnerable elderly man in exchange for a promise of care that was allegedly not fulfilled.
Nawrocki has dismissed the reports, stating that the claim that the elderly man ended up in a state-funded retirement home due to his lack of care are “media lies.” However, he announced on Wednesday that he would donate the property to charity.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on Friday that individuals with such conduct “certainly should not seek the highest state honors, the highest dignities, such as the presidency.”
PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski has alleged, without providing evidence, that the scandal was orchestrated by Poland’s secret services to manipulate the election.
A poll conducted by Pollster on May 7-8 for the Super Express tabloid revealed a drop of over 2 percentage points in support for Nawrocki since late April. The poll places liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, from Tusk’s ruling Civic Coalition (KO), at 32.3% and Nawrocki at 22.7% ahead of the May 18 first round. 52% of respondents indicated that the apartment controversy would impact their voting decision.
Since entering the presidential race, Nawrocki has faced significant negative coverage in liberal media outlets, including the resurfacing of a television interview in which he appeared in disguise under a pseudonym and praised his own historical work.
