Trzaskowski and Nawrocki Face Crucial Election Weekend

The news in Polish

1. walczyć
   brać udział w fizycznej lub słownej potyczce z kimś lub czymś. ↩︎
2. wybory  (m.)
   proces głosowania, aby wyłonić kogoś do pełnienia funkcji publicznej. ↩︎
3. debata  (f.)
   zorganizowana dyskusja na określony temat, często z udziałem ekspertów lub przeciwników. ↩︎
4. telewizja  (f.)
   system transmisji obrazów i dźwięków na odległość za pomocą fal elektromagnetycznych. ↩︎
5. odwiedzić
   przyjść lub przyjechać do kogoś na chwilowy pobyt. ↩︎
6. poparcie  (n.)
   wyrażenie zgody lub aprobaty dla czyichś działań lub poglądów. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What event will take place on Friday as part of the election campaign?

Question 2: Where will Rafał Trzaskowski visit on Saturday during the election weekend?

Vocabulary

Polish	English
walczyć	fight
wybory  (m.)	elections
debata  (f.)	debate
telewizja  (f.)	television
odwiedzić	visit
poparcie  (n.)	support

Read the full story

This weekend could prove pivotal for the race towards the Polish presidency as Rafał Trzaskowski, representing the Civic Platform, and Karol Nawrocki, the candidate for Law and Justice, vie for voter support amidst a series of critical events. The political atmosphere is charged with anticipation as these occurrences are expected to vastly influence the outcome of the elections.

Starting on Friday, a significant one-on-one debate between Trzaskowski and Nawrocki will be broadcasted across the three largest Polish television networks. In an attempt to invigorate traditional political debates, this format allows the candidates to directly question each other, rather than responding to journalists, with Jacek Prusinowski from “Super Express” moderating the interaction. This shift is seen as an opportunity for the candidates to more dynamically engage with and challenge their opponent, addressing both their political platforms and personal demeanors.

Trzaskowski’s campaign team indicates that he approaches this face-off with confidence, following criticism of his subdued performances in previous debates. They emphasize his preparedness and see the debate as a potential turning point. In contrast, Nawrocki’s recent appearances have highlighted his willingness to distance himself from some of Pis policies, including controversial economic decisions made during the pandemic, which have marked shifts in tone within his party.

On Saturday, Trzaskowski travels to Toruń to engage with Sławomir Mentzen, influential leader of the Confederation, in hopes of swaying Mentzen’s supporters. Unlike Nawrocki, who has been accused of submitting to Mentzen’s demands during their interaction, Trzaskowski plans an assertive approach that emphasizes his own values while seeking common ground on certain issues.

The weekend culminates on Sunday with the “Great Patriots’ March” in Warsaw, organized to invigorate the governing coalition’s base. The event recalls the impactful “March of a Million Hearts” prior to the 2023 parliamentary elections, although duplicating its massive turnout seems unlikely. Key figures within Trzaskowski’s camp stress the importance of fostering emotional engagement among voters, citing a palpable fear within their ranks stemming from Nawrocki’s political associations and personal controversies.

Amidst these high-stakes events, internal tensions within Law and Justice have surfaced. Reports suggest a last-minute decision by party leadership to pull former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki from a scheduled television appearance, a move seen to reflect underlying rifts and strategic recalibrations aimed at strengthening Nawrocki’s bid. The decision underscores the broader political dynamics at play as both candidates navigate a complex electoral landscape where alliances, public perceptions, and past governmental actions intertwine.

As the weekend unfolds, both Trzaskowski and Nawrocki face the critical task of leveraging these events to solidify support, each navigating potential pitfalls and promising avenues as they edge closer to winning the presidency. The unfolding political narrative highlights the intensity and unpredictability of Polish electoral politics.

Info: “Polish Learner News” is a service from “Let’s Learn Polish”, a language school dedicated to teaching Polish. We offer a variety of Polish lessons online designed to suit different learning needs and schedules.