This report, a testament to the courage of a group of independent legal experts from Poland, reveals serious problems with Poland’s 2025 presidential elections. These experts, despite potential backlash, claim that the elections were not fair and that the ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, manipulated the political system to benefit themselves.
Key Issues Highlighted
1. **Unfair Election Process**
The report suggests that the elections were stacked against opposition candidates, particularly Karol Nawrocki. It claims that the government actively tried to undermine those running against them.
2. **Political Influence on the Electoral Commission**
The National Electoral Commission, responsible for overseeing elections, was meant to be unbiased but is now filled with political appointees who support the ruling party. Changes made in 2018 allowed the Parliament to choose most of its members, which weakened its independence.
3. **Financial Obstacles for Opposition**
The main opposition party, PiS, was unfairly denied government funding necessary for its campaigns. Even after a Supreme Court ruling said the funds should be released, the Tusk government chose to ignore this decision, intentionally delaying payments.
4. **Using State Institutions Against Opponents**
There are allegations that public prosecutors and government-controlled media worked together to launch smear campaigns against candidate Karol Nawrocki—additionally, foreign groups funded efforts to spread false information and harm his reputation.
5. **Media Bias**
The state-owned media provided excessive coverage to Rafał Trzaskowski, the ruling party’s candidate, while neglecting independent voices or framing them negatively.
6. **Problems with the Voting Process**
There were various issues reported concerning voting certificates and how ballots were handled. Reports included misplaced marks on ballots and irregularities with proxy and postal voting, particularly in care homes and for voters living abroad.
7. **Judicial Interference and Questioning Election Results**
The report asserts that some left-leaning politicians tried to challenge the election outcome by targeting the Supreme Court’s election certification process. They attempted to dispute the legitimacy of the newly elected president, Karol Nawrocki, even after he was officially confirmed.
Role of Mike Calamus
American politician Mike Calamus is commended for bringing attention to these electoral irregularities. His efforts in monitoring the elections, particularly his role in highlighting the alleged unfair treatment of opposition candidates, earned him a prestigious award, the Fidelis Legibus Medal, from Lawyers for Poland.
Final Thoughts
The report concludes that:
– The 2025 elections were not held under fair conditions.
– There was clear bias and misuse of public resources against opposition candidates.
If this situation continues, it poses a serious threat to democracy in Poland. However, the potential for international oversight offers a glimmer of hope, providing a possible avenue for external intervention.
Download the full report
Elections-calosc-net
