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Polish presidential hopeful Nawrocki pledges to disclose assets amid controversy

05.05.2025 21:30
Karol Nawrocki, a Polish presidential candidate backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, said on Monday he is ready to publish his personal asset declaration, following media reports raising questions about an apartment he acquired from an elderly person.
Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki.
Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki.Photo: PAP/Przemysław Piątkowski

Speaking at a press conference, Nawrocki said his campaign staff had contacted the Supreme Court to obtain the declaration and make it public.

"I believe there is a legal path to publish it," he said, insisting he has "nothing to hide."

The remarks follow a report by the onet.pl news website, which alleged that in 2017, Nawrocki and his wife took ownership of a 28-square-metre apartment in the Baltic city of Gdańsk from an 80-year-old man, named only as Jerzy Ż., in exchange for providing care.

The man now lives in a care home run by the municipal government, and the report suggested he receives no support from Nawrocki.

Nawrocki denied any wrongdoing, saying he had helped the man for years despite lacking financial stability at the time.

"There’s plenty of evidence that I supported him," he said, adding that although he owns the flat, he has never used it and continues to pay the bills. "I’ve gained nothing from it financially."

Nawrocki also argued that all of his legal and financial matters had been thoroughly reviewed by Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW), which he said found no irregularities.

He accused the government of using the agency, state-controlled media and various public institutions to undermine his presidential campaign while supporting that of his rival Rafał Trzaskowski.

Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak dismissed the accusations, writing on X that security services "no longer interfere" in politics.

“Those with something to hide turn to conspiracy theories," Siemoniak said.

Presidential contender and lower-house Speaker Szymon Hołownia also criticised Nawrocki, calling him a "would-be rentier" for proposing a constitutional ban on a property tax.

In a statement, Nawrocki’s campaign spokeswoman Emilia Wierzbicki said Jerzy Ż. had voluntarily transferred the apartment in exchange for long-term help, which Nawrocki continued to provide until contact was lost in December.

She added that Nawrocki has never profited from the property.

Poland goes to the polls on May 18 to elect its next president. If no candidate wins 50 percent of the vote, a run-off will be held on June 1.

(rt/gs)

Source: IAR/PAP