Among the leading candidates were far-right politician Sławomir Mentzen of the Confederation party and Grzegorz Braun, notorious for antisemitic acts, including extinguishing a menorah with a fire extinguisher in Poland’s parliament.
Actress Joanna Szczepkowska, famous for declaring the end of communism on Polish television in 1989, called for understanding rather than condemnation, particularly of younger voters.
She said that a generation raised entirely in freedom and democracy has grown detached from the values of the Solidarity era
“These are children of constantly busy parents, growing up on a planet of fast stimuli, without sentimentality,” she added.
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 such as freedom or democracy no longer resonate deeply with young Poles, as they inherited these values rather than fought for them.
She also called for a new tone in debates over abortion rights.
"This generation knows more than their mothers ever did - they’ve seen the images, the science,” she said, arguing that young people are not necessarily anti-feminist, but are often skeptical of activist rhetoric.
Concerns about far-right drift
Internationally acclaimed composer Zbigniew Preisner warned of what he called Poland’s alarming political shift.
"It's terrifying how Poland is turning brown," he wrote on social media, referring to the rise of far-right sentiment.
He criticized what he described as the country'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," he wrote. "Thanks to our hard work and the European Union, Poland has gone from wooden to brick. 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