More figures declared their candidacy for Poland’s 2025 presidential election over the weekend, further diversifying the field.
Rafał Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw and candidate of the governing Civic Coalition (KO), and Karol Nawrocki, head of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, have entered the race.
Nawrocki's candidacy was officially announced on Sunday in the southern city of Kraków during a meeting attended by PiS politicians, including party leader Jarosław Kaczyński.
The right-wing party described Nawrocki as a "civic candidate," despite its endorsement.
Nawrocki on Monday emphasized his openness to support from various groups, saying: “The backing of the United Right and PiS is a great honor, but I do not exclude cooperation with other communities.”
Speaking at a press conference in the southern town of Włoszczowa, Nawrocki declared commitment to improving Poland’s railway infrastructure and addressing local transport inequalities.
Standing on a train platform, he called for better connections for smaller communities, citing historical underdevelopment stemming from 123 years of foreign rule until 1918 and World War II.
He said: “Poland needs more railway connections to overcome local exclusion and strengthen ties between citizens.”
Nawrocki also spoke about his broader goals for "national unity," proposing that security, economic prosperity and historical memory should be issues free from political disputes.
"These areas should be the foundation of cross-party collaboration, and I am convinced I can make this happen,” he said.
The left-wing political alliance Lewica is expected to announce its candidate in mid-December, with speculation centered on a potential high-profile contender.
Other declared candidates include lower-house Speaker Szymon Hołownia, representing the Poland 2050 group, Sławomir Mentzen from the far-right Confederation, and Marek Jakubiak of the Free Republicans.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP