Szymon Hołownia has launched sharp critiques of Sławomir Mentzen, accusing him of forging dangerous alliances with far-right entities within European politics, particularly the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). At meetings and events leading up to the 2025 presidential elections, Hołownia expressed concerns over Mentzen's approach, instigated by his connections with figures like Alice Weidel, who lead the AfD's populist and anti-Polish rhetoric.
"Don’t mess with Poles, Mr. Sławek," Hołownia stated emphatically during one gathering of supporters. This marked the beginning of what appears to be increasing tensions within Poland's political arena, as Hołownia aims to solidify his stance against Mentzen and the Confederation party, of which Mentzen is the presidential hopeful.
Underlining his point, Hołownia explained, "He’s pushing us toward those Germans who want to sell us to Russia." The leader of the Poland 2050 movement echoed widespread sentiment among those wary of political extremists, framing the issue as not merely electoral—but foundational to Polish identity and future sovereignty.
Hołownia's criticisms came just as the Confederation, the party to which Mentzen belongs, gained traction by securing six mandates during last year’s European Parliament elections. Some of its members, including Stanisław Tyszka and Marcin Sypniewski, aligned themselves with AfD, with Tyszka even taking on the role of vice-chairman within the group. This move drew immediate ire from Hołownia.
"What is Mentzen doing? He’s building the Confederation’s alliance with Alice Weidel, who wants to refer to Wrocław as Breslau and to Greater Poland as Ostdeutschland," Hołownia said on social media. This comment highlights the historical connotations attached to such terminology, indicating Mentzen’s potential willingness to capitulate to extremist historical narratives.
With the presidential election approaching, Hołownia continues to face significant electoral challenges. Recent surveys indicated Mentzen being positioned third behind frontrunners like Rafał Trzaskowski of the Civic Coalition and Karol Nawrocki from the Law and Justice party. Recent polling suggested Mentzen receiving around 15% of votes, compared to Hołownia's 7%. Meanwhile, another survey indicated slightly different numbers, with Mentzen at 16.8% against Hołownia's 4.7%. Hołownia is clearly positioning himself for gain, as the competition becomes increasingly intense.
The AfD itself has undergone considerable evolution, initially formed as a liberal party advocating for economic interests, before morphing during the immigration crisis to adopt far-right populist stances. Today, it stands as the second strongest party according to German polls, raising alarm among those who oppose its agenda. This transformation underlines Hołownia's concerns about the very real influence of such parties, as well as their capacity to redefine political engagements across borders.
Demonstrations against right-wing extremism are set to occur across Germany, reflecting growing unease with the narrative pushed by parties like the AfD. Hołownia may well hope to use this tide against right-wing extremism to bolster his vision of what he calls the need for new political leadership—one not buttressed by anti-democratic alliances.
Through his pointed criticisms, Hołownia is trying to call Poland to action, warning against potential historical interpretations by those who would seek to redefine Poland’s standing and relationships within Europe. His assertions serve as both caution and rallying cry against the growing visibility of extreme right-wing politics in Poland and beyond, urging voters to contemplate the far-reaching ramifications of their electoral choices.
While the elections are still some time away, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Poland, as its citizens confront what it means to maintain national integrity within the ever-turning tides of European politics.