Among the leading candidates were far-right politician Sławomir Mentzen of the Konfederacja alliance and Grzegorz Braun, notorious for antisemitic acts, including extinguishing a menorah with a fire extinguisher in Poland’s parliament.
Joanna Szczepkowska - known for famously declaring the end of communism on Polish television in 1989 - called for understanding rather than condemnation, especially toward young voters.
Szczepkowska tries to understand young voters
She noted that a generation raised with democracy and freedom from birth no longer relates to the values of the “Solidarity era.”
“These are children of constantly busy parents, growing up on a planet of fast stimuli, without sentimentality,” she said.
Myśli zebrane po nocy. 1-Przede wszystkim zrozumieć, nie potępiać. 2 – Najistotniejsze są wybory młodzieży Do głosu...
Opublikowany przez Joannę Szczepkowską Poniedziałek, 19 maja 2025
According to Szczepkowska, slogans like “freedom” or “democracy” carry little weight for them - they inherited these values rather than fought for them. She also called for a new approach to discussions around abortion.
“This generation knows more than their mothers ever did - they’ve seen the images, the science,” she said, noting that young people are not necessarily anti-feminist, but far more skeptical of activist rhetoric.
Preisner warns of far-right drift in Poland
Composer Zbigniew Preisner struck a more urgent tone, warning, “It’s terrifying how Poland is turning brown,” referencing the historical color of fascism.
In a social media post, he criticized what he sees as Poland’s moral decline and collective amnesia.
Moi Drodzy Polacy, przeczytałem wyniki wyborów w I turze. Przerażające jak Polska brunatnieje. Przerażające jak nie...
Opublikowany przez Zbigniew Preisner Poniedziałek, 19 maja 2025
“Look around - your homes, schools, hospitals. Thanks to our hard work and the European Union, Poland has gone from wooden to brick,” he wrote. “We forget how far we’ve come - from needing visas to travel, to working freely across Europe.”
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Source: Facebook.com/joanna.szczepkowska53; Facebook.com/Zbigniew-Preisner