Wiktoria Janecko

 

Although only four months have passed since Karol Nawrocki was sworn in as President of Poland, he has already left a noticeable mark on the country’s political landscape. A figure who, just a year ago, remained relatively unknown to the broader public, has rapidly emerged as one of the most prominent spokespersons of the conservative camp and its new leading face. His views – particularly those concerning the future of the European Union – now influence the national debate and clearly reshape discussions about Poland’s role within Europe.

During an official visit to Prague, Nawrocki delivered a lecture at Charles University, where he introduced his concept for reforming the European Union. He warned against what he described as dangerous tendencies toward the centralization of power within EU institutions. According to Nawrocki, the current direction of integration threatens the sovereignty of nation-states and drifts away from the founding principles of the Union. One of the most symbolic elements of his proposal was the call to abolish the position of President of the European Council and reinstate a rotating leadership system among member states.

At the same time, Nawrocki emphasized that Poland does not intend to leave the EU, although he openly stated that the current European Union “is not the union of our dreams.” In doing so, he continues the long-standing narrative associated with the Law and Justice party (PiS). For years, this political strategy has been built on questioning the EU’s value and portraying it as a threat to national sovereignty. PiS has consistently depicted the Union as an institution interfering in domestic affairs and has used emotionally charged rhetoric to cultivate distrust toward European integration. While effective in mobilizing their voter base, such an approach ultimately weakens Poland’s influence within the EU and limits its capacity to shape key European policies.

His presidency also introduces complications in relations with the current government. Poland is presently governed by a strongly pro-European coalition that supports deeper integration and institutional reform within the EU. Nawrocki, however, advocates a more cautious approach that restricts EU authority. These divergent visions may intensify political conflict in the months ahead. All of this unfolds against a particularly strategic backdrop. Although parliamentary elections are not scheduled until 2027, recent polls indicate that the ruling coalition could lose its majority if elections were held today.

By maintaining this Eurosceptic stance from the highest office in the state, Nawrocki reinforces negative attitudes toward the EU and strengthens the belief among parts of society that European integration poses more risks than benefits. As a result, the narrative cultivated for years by PiS is now amplified by the presidency – a development that may have profound consequences for Poland’s future position within the European Union.

 

Sources:

Wojciech Czuchnowski: "Wyborcza" ujawnia: Co jest w raporcie o Nawrockim. Mamy cały
dokument, in: Wyborcza.pl, December 02, 2024, online:
https://wyborcza.pl/7,75398,31509641,wyborcza-ujawnia-co-jest-w-raporcie-o-nawrockim-
mamy-caly.html.

Łukasz Gałkowski: Nawrocki: Trump-Fan, Ex-Hooligan, Historiker, in: ZDF heute, June 2,
2025, online: https://www.zdfheute.de/politik/ausland/polen-praesidenten-wahl-sieger-
nawrocki-100.html.

Roman Imielski: Nawrocki prezydentem. Co to oznacza dla Polski?, in: Wyborcza.pl, June
02, 2025, online: https://wyborcza.pl/7,75968,31989978,nawrocki-prezydentem-co-to-
oznacza-dla-polski.html.

Joanna Kamińska: Karol Nawrocki: Kim jest kandydat na prezydenta wspierany przez PiS?,
in: Rzeczpospolita.pl, February 27, 2025, online: https://www.rp.pl/polityka/art41846761-
karol-nawrocki-kim-jest-kandydat-na-prezydenta-wspierany-przez-pis.

Jacek Lepiarz: Polens neuer Präsident Nawrocki hat dubiose Vergangenheit, in: Deutsche
Welle, June 2, 2025, online: https://www.dw.com/de/wahlen-polen-neuer-pr%C3%A4sident-
karol-nawrocki-rechtskonservativ-historiker-eu-skeptiker-ex-hooligan-v3/a-72761032.

o.V.: Karol Nawrocki krytycznie o UE. “To nie jest unia naszych marzeń”, in: Onet.pl,
November 24, 2025, online: https://www.onet.pl/informacje/onetwiadomosci/karol-nawrocki-
krytycznie-o-ue-to-nie-jest-unia-naszych-marzen/rz54xxg,79cfc278.

Anastasia Zejneli: Karol Nawrocki: Vom Newcomer zum Präsidenten, in: taz.de, August 6,
2025, online: https://taz.de/Karol-Nawrocki/!6104780/.

 

Foto: Kancelaria Prezydenta RP / Wikimedia Commons, Lizenz: CC BY‑SA 4.0, Link zur Lizenz