Poland: The Last Bastion of European Conservatism – Why Karol Nawrocki’s Victory Was Possible

Poland, Warsaw

Mariusz Paszko

The Republic of Poland, much like South Korea, is a country with a turbulent history. Once again, it has found itself at the center of Europe’s political debate following the election of Karol Nawrocki as president. This was not just a national event but also a signal to the entire continent, showing that the conservative current in Europe is not weakening but, in fact, gaining strength. To understand why Poland may become the last stronghold of conservatism in Europe, it is necessary to examine both the internal social processes and the international circumstances that have created the space for such a choice.

Historical heritage and national identity

For centuries, Poland has been a bastion of Christian and national values in Europe. From the time of King John III Sobieski and the relief of Vienna to its resistance against communism, Poles have repeatedly taken on the role of defenders of Western civilization. This tradition has not disappeared; it remains alive in the national consciousness and continues to shape political choices. For many citizens, electing a president who invokes historical heritage, patriotism, and a strong state was a natural step.

Shared Values with Other Nations

Poland’s history is marked by wars, uprisings, and struggles for independence, yet it is also characterized by solidarity with other nations fighting for their freedom. This sense of kinship with countries of the region, Lithuania, Hungary, and Ukraine, which also experienced partitions, occupations, and resistance to imperial neighbors, leads Poland to view sovereignty as the highest political good. Much like South Korea after the war in the 1950s, Poland built its modern identity on the principle of “never again losing freedom.” This is why contemporary Polish conservatism combines not only the defense of tradition but also the idea of independence and the right to self-determination, values that have become the cornerstone of President Karol Nawrocki’s policy.

A response to Europe’s cultural crisis

Western Europe has for years been undergoing a deep cultural transformation, a departure from traditional family values, secularization, and accelerated moral liberalization. For many Poles, these changes threaten national and spiritual identity. In the public consciousness, Poland cannot repeat the mistakes of the West, which has already lost part of its own foundations. Karol Nawrocki, promoting a conservative vision of the state, resonated with voters who seek a strong response to trends dominating the European Union, where Berlin, Paris, and the Brussels establishment play the leading roles.

At the same time, Poles recognize the excessive and often intrusive influence of Germany on the Polish economy, including the dependence of key sectors on decisions made in Berlin, a tendency encouraged by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his government. The issue of unpaid war reparations by Germany remains an open wound in bilateral relations and a reminder of the crimes committed in Poland against Poles and Jews of Polish origin. This historical responsibility has still not been compensated by Berlin, which recently even proposed “German security guarantees” in exchange for reparations, a particularly striking offer given the Russian aggression against Ukraine, when Germany sent to Kiev helmets and old howitzers that, after a month of use, were fit only for scrapping or repair.

Also alive in collective memory is the experience of Soviet occupation after World War II and the tragedy of the Third Partition, which erased Poland from the map of Europe for more than a century. This historical awareness makes Poles wary of any attempts to limit sovereignty, freedom of speech, and interference in internal affairs, whether they come from the West or the East.

Economy and security as priorities

The presidential election took place at a time of rising geopolitical tension, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and an energy crisis. Poland, located on NATO’s eastern flank, has become a key link in Europe’s defense system. Karol Nawrocki presented himself as a candidate who not only understands the importance of military security but also knows how to combine this priority with economic policy – including support for domestic defense industries and diversification of energy sources. This convinced voters that he is not merely an ideological politician but also a pragmatist.

Social Fatigue with Liberalism and Communist Ideologies

In recent years, Poles have grown increasingly critical of the liberal narrative dominant in many European capitals. Rising living costs, pressure to accept mandatory numbers of illegal migrants, and successive regulations connected with the European Green Deal have created a sense that decisions made in Brussels are detached from everyday life in Central Europe. Karol Nawrocki built his campaign on the defense of sovereignty and slogans clearly indicating that Poland must have the right to decide its own future, rather than being a hostage to harmful ideologies flowing from Moscow and Beijing and implemented by the Berlin and Brussels bureaucracies.

The Role of Media and Modern Communication

Nawrocki’s success would not have been possible without effective communication with voters. His campaign relied on direct meetings, but also on modern media, video channels, online broadcasts, and a presence on social media such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This allowed him to reach younger generations who are sensitive to visual messaging and are looking for politicians who speak in a simple, direct, and authentic language.

Karol Nawrocki holds a PhD and for years headed the Institute of National Remembrance, where he was responsible for the state’s historical policy. He is a well-educated man, fluent in English, which allows him to effectively represent Poland on the international stage, as evidenced by his recent visit to the United States and meeting with President Donald Trump. Nawrocki is also pursued by the Russian Federation for his efforts to remove symbols of Russian communism in Poland and dismantle hundreds of Red Army monuments.

Poland as the Future Leader of Conservative Europe

If the trend of growing support for conservative values in Poland continues, the country may become the center of a new European coalition of states advocating strong borders, the traditional family, and independent economic policy. Cooperation within the Three Seas Initiative and alliances with regional countries, as well as global leaders such as South Korea, could strengthen Poland’s position as a voice of resistance to the centralizing ambitions of Brussels and Berlin, heavily influenced by Beijing and Moscow.

The election of Karol Nawrocki is not just a decision about the future of the country but also a signal that there is still room in Europe for politics rooted in national values and identity. Poland, instead of blindly following the West, can chart its own path, one that may become an inspiration for other nations.