Law and Justice officials framed Rafał Trzaskowski as a candidate tied to elite circles who would clash with the symbols and traditions many Poles hold dear. They asserted he champions gender ideology and climate policy lobbies, and they linked him to broader liberal networks and corporate interests. The remarks came in a media interview and were part of a broader attack on Trzaskowski as the political face of cosmopolitan influences.
Rafał Trzaskowski won the Civic Coalition primary against Radosław Sikorski in a contest that positioned him as the coalition’s standard bearer for the coming presidential race. He previously ran for the presidency and was defeated by Andrzej Duda in the prior election cycle.
Trzaskowski’s painting
Kowalski argued that the nomination would place Trzaskowski in a position to implement the prime minister’s plan inside the presidential palace. He claimed the candidate would follow directives associated with Donald Tusk and sign laws that would alter Poland’s sovereignty and core values, reshape the national security framework, and reform education and social policy in ways that benefit large urban areas at the expense of ordinary Poles.
He called Trzaskowski the candidate of the Warsaw elites.
In a pointed critique, Kowalski recalled Trzaskowski’s stance on Nord Stream as a private venture with no Kremlin ties, and noted his involvement in the pro-Russian government of the PO-PSL coalition. Kowalski reminded Poles that many who currently face high energy bills should remember that the EU energy tax was implemented during that government’s tenure in 2014-2015.
The key to victory
Kowalski outlined a winning approach for Law and Justice, arguing that the party should win on the opponent’s turf. In big cities like Warsaw, Rzeszów, Lublin, Gdańsk, Poznań, and Wrocław, the Civic Platform is strongest, and Trzaskowski is their leading figure. The description of this network as a union of platform chairmen highlighted mutual support and shared boards in municipal companies, noting that Trzaskowski is a close ally of Jacek Sutryk, the mayor of Wrocław.
He described how a ban on mayors serving on boards led to a parallel system where city presidents ended up on boards of companies overseen by their colleagues, a practice he saw as problematic.
Should Trzaskowski enter the Presidential Palace, it would not be surprising to see Sutryk alongside him.
He pressed for mobilization of PiS voters in major urban centers and urged residents in those cities to support candidates aligned with the right.
He warned that a confrontation with platform mayors is necessary, criticizing what he described as clumsiness, partisanship, and a perceived arrogance in the Warsaw, Gdańsk, and especially Wrocław leadership.
Summary
Kowalski restated his view of Trzaskowski as a candidate backed by elites who would clash with Poland’s traditional symbols and values. He argued that alongside Ms. Nowacka the candidate would promote gender ideology and climate policy, and he claimed these projects are pushed by major companies and liberal globalist circles. These remarks highlight the ongoing strategic dimensions of Poland’s election season.