In recent days, the media has been abuzz with revelations regarding the second apartment owned by Karol Nawrocki, the president of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) and a presidential candidate backed by the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS). The controversy erupted after Nawrocki claimed during a debate hosted by "Super Express" that he owned only one apartment, a statement that has since come under scrutiny.
According to reports from Onet, Nawrocki possesses a 28.5 square meter studio apartment in Gdańsk in addition to his family home. This apartment was allegedly transferred to Nawrocki and his wife, Marta, in 2017 by Jerzy Ż., an elderly man, in exchange for lifelong care and maintenance, a type of arrangement known as a life estate. However, Jerzy Ż. has since been placed in a social care facility, complicating the narrative surrounding the apartment's acquisition.
Jerzy Ż. originally purchased the apartment in 2011 for approximately 12,000 PLN, which was only 10% of its market value, utilizing a preferential right of first refusal. Reports indicate that Nawrocki bought the apartment from Jerzy Ż. in 2017 for 120,000 PLN. On May 6, 2025, Nawrocki disclosed his asset declaration, listing two jointly owned apartments and a 50% share in his mother's apartment. The following day, he announced that he and his wife had decided to donate the Gdańsk studio to charity. "Evil must be overcome with good," Nawrocki stated.
Nawrocki's team has emphasized that he never lived in or rented out the studio apartment, nor did he derive any financial benefits from it, asserting that Jerzy Ż. remained the owner until contact was lost in December 2024. However, the situation took a turn when Interia.pl revealed a document signed by Nawrocki in 2021, in which he committed to providing lifelong care for Jerzy Ż. This document, dated August 10, 2021, outlined Nawrocki's obligations to supply food, clothing, housing, and other necessities for Jerzy Ż.
Political analysts, including Professor Jarosław Flis, weighed in on the implications of the apartment controversy. Flis noted that while the affair might not impact Nawrocki's core electorate, it underscores the idea that "political mistakes have consequences." Averaged results from five recent presidential polls show that Rafał Trzaskowski, the candidate from the Civic Coalition (KO), leads with 32% support, while Nawrocki trails with 25.5%.
The latest poll conducted on May 7, 2025, indicated that Nawrocki did not suffer significant fallout from the apartment controversy, losing only 1 percentage point compared to earlier surveys. Flis remarked, however, that the impact of the controversy might become clearer as voters discuss it among themselves and engage with media coverage.
As the controversy unfolded, it became increasingly clear that Nawrocki's defense by prominent PiS figures, including Przemysław Czarnek and Mateusz Morawiecki, crossed into the realm of the absurd. Critics have labeled the narrative that Nawrocki purchased an apartment with a tenant—an alleged aggressive alcoholic—as implausible. Many argue that no rational person would buy a property guaranteed to be inherited, especially one occupied by a problematic tenant.
In a recent TOK Stories video, journalist Karolina Lewicka commented on the situation, stating that the affair severely tarnishes Nawrocki's image as a presidential candidate. She remarked, "It certainly smells bad," referring to Nawrocki's public statement during the "Super Express" debate where he claimed to own only one apartment. Lewicka further noted that Nawrocki's failure to assist Jerzy Ż. contradicts the narrative of benevolence surrounding the acquisition of the apartment.
Amidst growing scrutiny, Nawrocki's campaign spokesperson, Emilia Wierzbicki, responded to the media's coverage, asserting that the entire state apparatus is conducting a "dirty operation" through the media. She claimed the disclosure of documents related to Nawrocki's commitment to care for Jerzy Ż. is a crime orchestrated to undermine his candidacy. Wierzbicki did not dispute the authenticity of the document, which had been previously questioned by Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of PiS.
The document in question includes a statement from Jerzy Ż. affirming that Nawrocki fulfilled his obligations as outlined. This revelation has led to further questions about the nature of Nawrocki's care for Jerzy Ż. and the circumstances under which the apartment was acquired.
As the election approaches, the impact of this controversy on Nawrocki's campaign remains uncertain. While his core supporters may remain loyal, the challenge lies in attracting undecided voters and those who may be swayed by the narrative surrounding the apartment. With senior citizens being a crucial demographic for PiS, there are concerns that the controversy could alienate this voter base.
Ultimately, the apartment affair has introduced a level of complexity into Nawrocki's presidential campaign that could prove detrimental. As media scrutiny continues, the questions surrounding the acquisition of the Gdańsk studio and Nawrocki's commitment to Jerzy Ż. will likely persist, challenging the candidate to navigate this turbulent political landscape.
