Less rights, more "morality". Poland's new president is a warning to all of Europe
The election of Karol Nawrocki as President of Poland is not just a domestic event with local impact. It is a warning signal for the whole of Europe. For those of us who believe in democracy, equality and human rights, it is a reminder that freedom is not a given. And that a return to conservative nationalism is not a thing of the past, but a very much alive present.
Nawrocki is the embodiment of the cultural turn to repressive moral absolutism. His association with the Catholic Church, his opposition to the rights of LGBT+ people, his stance on abortion, migration or the environmental agenda - all represent not the Europe of the future, but its haunted past. Yet he managed to win. What does this say about the state of Polish society - and the state of our European society?
It is not just a question of cultural values. Poland has been a pillar of European solidarity in recent years - whether in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine or in economic engagement with the EU. But with a president who is sceptical of the Union, opposed to Ukraine's membership of NATO and who admires leaders like Orban and Trump, this course may change. Nawrocki can block laws, stall integration and sabotage the green transition. And above all - reinforce narratives of hatred and division in society.
For queer people in Poland, his ascension is another step backwards. In a country where, until recently, "LGBT-free zones" were being created, where identity-based violence is a reality, and where public support for equality barely exceeds half the population, a president who proclaims "the infallibility of the morality of the church" instead of championing human rights is an open risk.
Europe cannot afford to remain silent. It is not just about the rights of minorities in one country. It is about whether the European community really stands on the values it declares - or whether it turns a blind eye to the illiberalism that is growing in its midst.
Karol Nawrocki's victory must not be a footnote. It must be a challenge. For the European institutions, for national governments - and for us, the citizens. We need more than proclamations of unity. We need concrete action: to link European funds to respect for the rule of law, to actively support civil society, to protect the rights of vulnerable groups. We need a Europe that is not just an economic market, but a real political and values community.
Because otherwise, tomorrow may be 'another day when another European country moves to the far right'.
