The president of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Nawrocki, who is a presidential candidate in Września, Wielkopolska, argued that the Green Deal threatens Poland’s public welfare. He maintained that dismantling the institute would not serve the national interest.
We must think ambitiously about Polish nuclear energy
At a supporters’ gathering organized by a local Gazeta Polska club, Nawrocki was asked for his view on the European Green Deal, a policy aimed at cutting EU greenhouse gas emissions. He said he is not a strong advocate of the Green Deal but supports Polish nuclear energy as Poland’s reliable power source for a secure, affordable energy future. Nawrocki argued that the powers of the presidency, exercised through European diplomacy, should push back against the Green Deal as part of a broader eco obsession. On environmental protection, he stated that responsible measures are welcome but rejected what he called an eco craze that undermines the functioning of the Polish state. He also discussed the potential role of coal and lignite in Poland’s energy mix, noting that the nation’s long history with these resources must fit current needs and capabilities.
Nawrocki was asked about the EU’s agricultural policy. He said food security and the fate of Polish farmers are central to Poland’s prosperity, emphasizing that ensuring reliable access to affordable food is a national priority.
EU Mercosur Agreement
The candidate addressed a possible free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur members, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay. He criticized the concept, suggesting that imports could flow in under standards different from those in the EU. He warned that such imports could threaten Polish agriculture and argued that Germany has pursued an approach with South American partners that does not serve Polish interests.
Nawrocki argued that Poland should resist signing the EU-Mercosur agreement. He stressed that Polish responsibilities toward farmers, entrepreneurs, workers, and soldiers must come first, as well as the preservation of Poland’s economic security. He added that Poland’s diplomatic relations and alliances must not overshadow the well-being of its citizens.
KO’s fear of “truth”
Asked why Civic Coalition politicians would want to liquidate the Institute of National Remembrance, Nawrocki said it stemmed from fear of truth, effectiveness, and the institute’s ability to act. He maintained that the institute cannot be liquidated or its leadership removed without the president’s consent. Nawrocki also praised the Institute as Poland’s greatest institutional achievement since 1989, arguing that any move to abolish it would run counter to Poland’s national interest.
The election campaign is set to begin in January with the formal announcement of next year’s presidential elections, which are expected in May. The list of declared participants included Rafał Trzaskowski, Karol Nawrocki, Szymon Hołownia, Sławomir Mentzen, and Marek Jakubiak.