Krystyna Strusińska, a pensioner from Radom, says she will vote for Karol Nawrocki, whose “strength lies in his patriotism and devotion to Poland”.

Nawrocki, who is backed by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, is the conservative candidate endorsed by the outgoing president Andrzej Duda. He is also the president of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), a 2,500-strong public body tasked with promoting Poland’s modern history and investigating crimes committed in the 20th century.

“He stands out among others. He has charisma, an ability to answer questions, and clear values,” said Mrs Strusińska, who values Nawrocki’s knowledge of history, oratory skills, and sense of humour. “He does not seek the presidential office for personal gain, but for Poland’s future.” 

“Unlike Duda, who, despite his great achievements, was too closely tied to his party, Nawrocki is a civic candidate. He represents the entire country, all political circles, and although uniting Poland will be a challenge, I believe he can succeed,” she explained.

Just a few months ago, not many of his current supporters even knew who Karol Nawrocki was. Before announcing his presidential bid, he rarely appeared in any political context. His public profile was so low that a poll by Radio ZET last November put him in seventh place. Only 37% of respondents said they knew who Nawrocki was – a very low figure compared to the likes of Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski or the speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, who both had 97% recognition. 

Law and Justice disadvantaged his standing even further by waiting for almost half a year before officially endorsing him. Effectively, other candidates hit the campaign trail a lot earlier. 

At first, Nawrocki’s campaign aimed to portray him as a friendly neighbour, and emphasised his physical fitness. In one campaign appearance, he was pictured carrying a washing machine on his own into a refurbished house after last year’s floods.

That image was soon abandoned in favour of a more assertive message. Nawrocki’s campaign currently presents him as a unifying patriot, a defender of history and a champion of traditional values. 

What is strange is that Nawrocki has yet to establish his political plan and policy proposals, and his narrative seems to be largely repeating Law and Justice statements, a party he is now trying to distance himself from. Less than two months before the polling stations open, his website lacks detailed information and contact info.

What helps Nawrocki is that his lack of political experience means few controversies. The most significant concerns were the use of a luxury apartment at taxpayers’ expense, accusations of laying off three IPN employees for laughing, and relations with a man charged with kidnapping, whom Nawrocki knew in his youth.

Nawrocki seems to be the perfect candidate for Law and Justice’s devoted voters, who prioritise historical awareness and national identity, while his forceful, even aggressive political style appeals to those who believe that strong leadership is essential during uncertain times. 

Although he has distanced himself from the embattled political party that supports him – officially, he is running as an independent – the question is whether he will be able to stem the flow of support for the far right and secure the presidential palace for the opponents of Donald Tusk and his centrist Civic Platform.