Polish President Andrzej Duda has raised alarms over potential European Union interference in Poland’s May election, accusing Brussels of favoring left-leaning governments and sidelining conservatives. As a close ally of the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, Duda fears that Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s current government might not accept the results if PiS wins.
In a February 5 interview with internet channel Kanał Zero, Duda pointed to Romania’s recent election, where a right-wing candidate unexpectedly won the first round—only to have the results annulled. He claimed EU officials had openly admitted to playing a role in that decision, possibly referencing former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton’s remarks acknowledging Brussels’ involvement.
Duda didn’t stop there. He argued that the EU had interfered in Poland’s politics before, withholding pandemic recovery funds from the previous PiS-led government while swiftly releasing them once Tusk’s center-left coalition took power in 2023. He called it “political manipulation,” suggesting Brussels punishes governments that don’t align with its stance on issues like migration, the environment, and judicial reforms.
Looking ahead, Duda expressed deep concern that similar interference could unfold in Poland. He questioned whether EU-backed candidates are the only ones allowed to win and suggested that the government’s refusal to recognize the Supreme Court’s Supervisory Chamber—tasked with certifying election results—could set the stage for rejecting an unfavorable outcome.
Poland’s presidential election kicks off on May 18, with a second round, if necessary, on June 1. Duda’s term ends in early August, when his successor is set to be sworn in—but with tensions rising, the road to that transition may not be smooth.
