Speaking at a campaign rally for Biejat at the University of Silesia in southern Poland on Tuesday, Kwaśniewski urged voters to follow their convictions in the first round of voting and help break the country’s two-party dominance.
He argued that Poland has endured a duopoly for two decades, with power alternating between Donald Tusk’s centrists and Jarosław Kaczyński’s conservatives.
“My appeal is that in the first round—coming up very soon—you follow the voice of your heart, your beliefs,” Kwaśniewski told the rally, calling for a strong "backing for the values and ideas represented by Magdalena Biejat and the Left."
'The future of Polish politics'
He praised Biejat’s performance in recent presidential debates and described a vote for her as "a good investment."
He said: "I am convinced that Magdalena Biejat is the future of Polish politics."
Biejat, who co-chairs the Left party, welcomed Kwaśniewski’s endorsement.
"I am deeply grateful and honored by the president’s support, by his strong words in favor of my candidacy and his faith that things can be better,” she told supporters.
"I believe Poland needs a sense that politics can look different—and that we can move forward," she added.
Recent polls show Biejat trailing behind the front-runners, but she hopes Kwaśniewski’s backing will bolster her appeal among left-leaning and undecided voters.
Poles will head to the ballot box on May 18 to elect their next president. If no candidate wins 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held on June 1.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP