Krzysztof Katkowski is a publicist and sociologist based in Warsaw, Poland. His writing has appeared in outlets including OKO.press and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
Polish president Karol Nawrocki is shutting off welfare benefits for Ukrainians in Poland. Earlier welcomed as refugees, Ukrainians are now pushed into a role as second-class guestworkers in their host country.
Establishment candidate Rafał Trzaskowski had the perfect résumé to become Poland’s centrist, pro-European president. His defeat to the hard-right Karol Nawrocki reflects the liberal establishment’s evaporating support among the middle and working classes.
On Sunday, Poland votes in the first round of presidential elections. The contest is dominated by various right-wingers, while small progressive forces speak mainly to the highly educated, professionals, and the downwardly mobile middle classes.
The “populist” ruling party and the “liberal” opposition aren’t the only choices in Poland’s election this Sunday. Polling in third place, the Lewica coalition offers a left-wing alternative that could prove decisive in forming the next government.