Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) is on high alert, working to shield the country from external meddling as the election season heats up.
In a no-holds-barred discussion on Channel Zero, Sławomir Mentzen, a presidential hopeful from the Confederation party, weighed in on national security and the idea of compulsory military training. With polling numbers placing him third behind Rafał Trzaskowski (KO) and Karol Nawrocki (PiS), Mentzen is making waves with his bold stance on war policy.
One of his most striking proposals? Holding politicians accountable for the wars they endorse. He argues that if lawmakers are so eager to send troops into battle, their own children should be first in line to serve. “This would act as a safeguard, ensuring that politicians don’t recklessly involve Poland in unnecessary conflicts,” Mentzen insisted.
He went on to clarify that a legislator’s job is to draft laws, even during wartime, while their offspring—since their policies helped spark the conflict—should bear the brunt of the consequences. A controversial take, but one that’s resonating with parts of the electorate.
On the topic of mandatory military service, Mentzen believes it should kick in after high school—but not across the board. “The Polish army simply doesn’t have the capacity to train everyone,” he pointed out. Instead, he suggested a selective, compensated training program where participants receive payment for their time in service.
Highlighting the practical benefits, he emphasized that trained individuals stand a significantly better chance of surviving if war ever erupts. “Experience, knowledge, and skills are invaluable on the battlefield. If someone is drafted, prior training could be the difference between life and death,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Germany is toying with similar conscription policies, and liberal media outlets are pushing narratives that encourage young people to enlist, framing it as a duty to uphold freedom and diversity. As Europe wrestles with the question of military preparedness, Poland’s debate over war, conscription, and political responsibility is only just beginning.
