As Poland gears up for its presidential elections on May 18, 2025, the political landscape is heating up with candidates making bold claims and unveiling their programs. Among these candidates is Karol Nawrocki, who recently proclaimed himself the only presidential candidate with a comprehensive program, "Plan 21." However, this assertion has been challenged by fact-checking organization Demagog, which revealed that several other candidates have also published their election platforms.
During an appearance on "Popołudniowa rozmowa w RMF FM" on March 17, 2025, Nawrocki stated, "I am the only candidate for the presidency who has a program – Plan 21." His campaign staff had previously organized a program conference at the beginning of March, where Nawrocki presented his postulates under the slogan "Polska sferą normalności – Bezpieczeństwo, Rozwój, Dobrobyt!" This program consists of 21 postulates categorized into four main areas: prosperity, a normal state, a safe Poland, and development.
Despite Nawrocki's claims, Demagog verified that other candidates, including Rafał Trzaskowski, Sławomir Mentzen, Szymon Hołownia, Adrian Zandberg, and Artur Bartoszewicz, have all released their own election programs. Trzaskowski's program, titled "Mój plan na Polskę," includes a "Pakt dla Bezpieczeństwa" that promises to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. Mentzen's platform, "Silna Bogata Polska," outlines 20 postulates aimed at creating a strong economy and a robust military.
Hołownia, another prominent candidate, has introduced a program described as a "list of purchases" that focuses on improving public transport and affordable housing. Zandberg's "15-letni plan rozbudowy Polski" aims to enhance healthcare funding and invest in housing. Bartoszewicz has also shared his "Program 777," which includes seven promises in three categories.
The competition among candidates has intensified, especially in the realm of social media. From March 17 to March 23, 2025, Nawrocki's mentions reached an impressive 370 million potential contacts, making him the most discussed candidate across all media types. However, nearly half of this coverage was linked to his second identity as Tadeusz Batyr, under which he previously published a book about organized crime.
In stark contrast, Sławomir Mentzen emerged as the leader in social media engagement, surpassing all other candidates combined. His content reached 116.5 million potential contacts, significantly outpacing both Nawrocki and Trzaskowski. Mentzen's strategy has resonated particularly well with younger voters, as evidenced by his high view counts on platforms like TikTok, where he garnered 8.6 million views, and X, where he achieved 5.8 million views.
Rafał Trzaskowski, the candidate from the Civic Coalition, followed closely behind with 351 million contacts, despite having twice as many publications as Nawrocki. This discrepancy highlights the importance of audience engagement over sheer volume of content. Meanwhile, Szymon Hołownia, who was previously in third place, has slipped to fourth with 242 million contacts.
As the campaign progresses, media analysts from the Institute for Media Monitoring and Demagog will continue to track the candidates' media presence, focusing on both traditional and social media platforms. This analysis aims to provide insights into how media reach correlates with voter support, as well as to identify any misinformation circulating about the candidates.
The current political climate is further complicated by the ongoing discussions surrounding candidates' identities and past actions. Nawrocki's revelation of his pseudonym, Tadeusz Batyr, has drawn mixed reactions. While some see it as a fascinating twist in his narrative, others view it as a potential liability, particularly given that much of the media coverage surrounding him has been negative.
In the meantime, Mentzen has ramped up his social media presence, emphasizing a direct line of communication with voters. His posts often highlight his criticisms of the current government, particularly regarding defense spending and other critical issues. On the other hand, Trzaskowski has focused on his record as the mayor of Warsaw, touting infrastructure investments and his commitment to NATO partnerships.
Grzegorz Braun, another candidate, has also begun to gain traction, although his campaign materials have not been as widely disseminated online. His anti-EU stance and promises to end what he calls "sanitary segregation" have resonated with certain voter segments, but his overall reach remains limited compared to the frontrunners.
As the election date approaches, candidates will need to refine their strategies to capture the attention of voters. With multiple candidates presenting well-defined programs and leveraging social media effectively, the race for the presidency is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent Polish history.
Ultimately, the outcome of the election will depend not only on the candidates' platforms but also on their ability to connect with the electorate in a meaningful way. The next few weeks will be crucial as candidates continue to campaign, engage with voters, and navigate the complexities of public perception.
