Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, despite opposition from many coalition politicians, repeatedly emphasized that it was his duty to accept the oath regardless of the circumstances. In recent weeks, he even claimed that he had been urged to stage a coup d’état, which was one of the causes of the crisis within the ruling camp.
First impressions
In his inaugural address, the new president stressed that his main goal as head of state would be to serve as the voice of the citizens of the Republic of Poland. He declared that he would represent “those who want a sovereign Poland, a Poland that is in the European Union, but a Poland that is not the European Union, only Poland – and will remain Poland.” Referring to Christian values, he stated that he “forgives the contempt” he had faced during the election campaign, presenting a message of reconciliation. At the same time, he highlighted the need for Poland to return to the path of the rule of law, criticizing the current state of state institutions and the exercise of power beyond the boundaries of law.
Addressing the representatives of the Sejm majority, he announced the creation of a council for the restoration of the state system and declared his intention to draft a new Constitution, to be adopted by 2030. The president also emphasized that judges are not “gods” but are meant to serve the nation – he promised to promote those who act in accordance with the Constitution.
Nawrocki also pledged to continue strategic investments such as the Central Communication Port (CPK) and the development of road and port infrastructure, while calling for more thorough teaching of Polish literature and history in schools. He urged ministers to engage in dialogue on key socio-economic issues, including the retirement age, the future of the euro currency, and housing policy. His address was strongly rooted in nationalist rhetoric, frequently invoking sovereignty and state identity. Both politicians and commentators largely believe that Andrzej Duda’s successor will be significantly more radical than his predecessor.
An active start
The day after his inauguration, during his first domestic visit in Kalisz, Karol Nawrocki signed the “YES to CPK” bill, which was then submitted to the Sejm. The bill reinstates the Central Communication Port in its original form, including both the construction of the airport and the development of the railway network. The plan envisions connecting smaller towns to the transport system. According to the schedule: the airport in Baranów is to be completed by December 2031, the railway lines through Łódź and Warsaw a year earlier, while Chopin Airport in Warsaw is to be closed within seven years.
The president also signed a legislative initiative introducing zero personal income tax (PIT) for families with at least two children. At the same time, he announced raising the second tax threshold to 140,000 PLN of annual income. These measures are part of the “Plan 21” presented during the election campaign. According to the president’s estimates, the impact on the budget would be about 13 billion PLN annually, while the Ministry of Finance assessed the cost as potentially twice as high.
Both initiatives were among the priorities announced by the president immediately after taking office. They have a strategic character – the CPK project concerns key transport infrastructure, while the tax changes fit into a pro-family and middle-class support policy. These initiatives open the broader legislative plan outlined for the first months of the presidency, also covering projects related to agriculture, land protection, and reductions in other tax burdens.
Strong backing
Right-wing experts view the composition of the Presidential Chancellery with enthusiasm. It has been described as “very strong,” with emphasis on Nawrocki assembling a team of ambitious and responsible statesmen. Among the president’s advisors are his former colleagues from the Institute of National Remembrance and well-known Law and Justice activists. Some, however, argue that the new president’s advisors are excessively fanatical. One controversial figure cited is Sławomir Cenckiewicz, appointed as the new head of the National Security Bureau. He had co-hosted the television program Reset during the rule of the United Right, a show that depicted Prime Minister Donald Tusk as an extremely pro-Russian politician.
The president’s associates portray him as someone capable of paralyzing the state by blocking major government initiatives. They also promise that Karol Nawrocki will be active on the international stage. Although it is only the first days of his presidency, a meeting between him and U.S. President Donald Trump has already been announced for early September in Washington. It has also been suggested that conflicts may arise between the president and the prime minister over who should represent the country in European affairs.
From the outset, Karol Nawrocki has shown that he wants to be close to the people. His spontaneous meetings with Poles even surprise his security officers. He chats with families, plays football with children, but also interacts with individuals who could pose a threat, such as extremist football hooligans.
Although the president’s office had indicated that Nawrocki would strive to end political conflict in Poland, his first decisions seem instead to exacerbate it. He presented his ideas for the entire term not in an official address, as his predecessors had done, but in an interview with Danuta Holecka on Telewizja Republika. From the very start of his presidency, Nawrocki has signaled that he is not interested in addressing the needs of nearly half of the electorate that did not vote for him. His stance may soon lead to very deep divisions among the public.