Will the Law and Justice name Charles Nawrocki? Poles make things clear

Karol Nawrocki, president of the Institute of National Memory and the candidate of Law and Justice for President, was placed at the center of the political storm. As it turned out, Nawrocki hid under the pseudonym “Tadeusz Batyr” and as a fictional character he published the book “The Confession of Nikos from beyond the grave” – a biography of Nikodem Skotarczak, a legendary tri-city underworld boss.

However, the top reservations were raised not by the publication itself, but by the fact that Nawrocki performed publically both as the author of the book, who supported his own candidacy for president and as himself – her enthusiastic reviewer, as Onet reported.

The masquerade raised large controversy and questions about the credibility and intentions of the president of IPN. In the opinion of commentators, this action can be seen as manipulation of public opinion and an unethical effort to make its own image through fictional alter ego.

Poles want to change candidate

In consequence to revealed facts portal Onet commissioned ACE investigation to conduct a survey on the political consequences of the affair. The results are conclusive.

45.8% of respondents believe that the Law and Justice should change Charles Nawrocki to another presidential candidate in light of fresh reports.

Among those in favour of replacing the candidate, 25.3% chose the answer "Definitely yes" and 20.5% chose "Yes". Only 21.6 per cent of respondents are opposed, including 9.8 per cent of respondents chose the consequence "Definitely not" and 11.8 per cent - "Precisely not". A large group, as many as 32.5 percent, has no opinion on the matter.

Detailed results in electorates

The biggest opposition to Nawrock's candidacy can be seen among the 3rd Way voters. As many as 70.8% of them are in favour of his exchange ("Definitely yes" – 33.3 percent, "I think so" – 37.5%).

Fewly little determined are leftist sympathizers – 64.4 percent of them pointed to the request to change the candidate ("Definitely yes" – 41.4 percent, "I think so" – 23.3%).

Also, the majority of voters of the Civic Coalition (59.6%) anticipate the PiS to retreat from this candidacy.

Interestingly, even among the Confederate electorate almost half of the respondents (46.1%) would like to exchange Nawrocki. The most supporters of the current candidate are among the voters of Law and Justice, but even here 30.6% of respondents indicate that the change would be justified. "Definitely not" was answered by 30.7% of respondents from this group, and "No" was 18.4%.

Political and media reactions

Although the substance of “Tadeus Batyr” may seem curiosistic, political consequences may be serious. Many commentators point out that Nawrocki's actions undermine his credibility as president of the state institution liable for investigation into past and national memory.

The writer “Gazeta Wyborcza” Dominik Wielowieyska stressed: “What Karol Nawrocki did is utmost irresponsibility and embarrassment – not only to himself, but besides to the IPN as a public trust institution.”

Painful consequences for the Law and Justice

The PiS, which in fresh months has been looking for a way to regain support after losing the parliamentary elections, can face a hard choice. Maintaining Karol Nawrocki as a presidential candidate can deepen the party's image crisis and discourage average electorate.

On the another hand, its exchange would be a admission of error, which is seldom cost-free in politics.

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