“Both are trying to back Ukraine”

Past weekend two presidential candidates, Bronislaw Komorowski and Andrzej Duda, took part in a debate organized by Poland’s TV stations TVP and Polsat. According to Polskie Radio, the debate comprised several rounds: on foreign policy, security, economy and social policy, state matters, and government vision. Ukraine became the key issue during the TV debate.

“Poland supports Ukraine and is its reliable partner and ally, but not to such an extent as to send our troops to Donbas… However, we can help Ukraine preserve its independence, because it is in our national interests,” said the incumbent President Bronislaw Komorowski. He also emphasized that the Ukrainian question “is a key one for Poland’s security.” “It is important that we do not play up to Russia’s expectations, blocking our own possibilities to efficiently back Ukraine’s defense system, should such a need arise. Fortunately, it has not arisen yet,” underlined Komorowski.

On his part, Andrzej Duda (who outstripped Komorowski in the first round of the election) stressed the importance of Ukraine’s joining the European Union and the urgency of securing NATO support. “Before the NATO summit in Warsaw in 2016, we must demand additional security guarantees in the form of NATO infrastructure and military bases. This would mean a true reinforcement of our positions,” believes Duda.

The second round of the presidential election in Poland is taking place this Sunday, May 24.

The Day asked Andrzej Szeptycki, analyst at the Institute of International Relations, University of Warsaw, to comment on this debate, in particular, the candidates’ Ukraine-related statements:

“The Komorowski-Duda discussion opened with the Ukrainian theme, foreign policy being the first item in the debate. This emphasizes Ukraine’s role in the contemporary political discussion in Poland.

“In evaluating the current situation in Ukraine, there is no principal difference between Komorowski and Duda. Both are trying to back Ukraine.

“For Komorowski it is easier to speak about what he has done during all his time in office or     over the past year, while Duda’s task was to say or promise even more, to be perceived as the better candidate. That is why he plunged into talking of Ukraine’s EU membership. I am well aware that this is what many Ukrainians dream of. However, over five years, should Poland get a new president, Ukraine will not accomplish it yet: some more time is needed.

“Duda was trying to show himself both as a pro-Polish and pro-Ukrainian candidate. However, I believe that here he somewhat lacked political realism. The reason is that for him it was hard to say something new and interesting to seem better than Komorowski. In his turn, Komorowski, too, openly said that he had no intention of sending Polish troops to Ukraine. He has a more pragmatic view of it. [Past January, Duda argued for sending Polish troops to Donbas. In particular, he said that this is a ‘hard decision,’ yet ‘it is worth considering such a possibility.’ – Ed.]

“The candidates’ NATO rhetoric shows no essential differences either. Poland needs security guarantees from the Alliance. Both Duda and Komorowski spoke about it at the debate.

“The first round of Poland’s presidential election became clear evidence of the Poles’ disappointment in the ruling party. The third candidate, rock musician Pawel Kukiz, is also a novice, and has no political party. He would like to become a mouthpiece of the discontented Poles. Kukiz garnered some 20 percent of the vote. This, too, testifies to the level of social discontent. It is caused by the economic situation, the dominance of the Civic Platform in politics and, in particular, the rule of the generation which 25 years ago sat at the round table.

“Another important question arises: how will the     votes divide in the second round (especially the 20 percent given for Kukiz)? I think the opposition candidate will win rather than the incumbent.

“Duda has a chance to become president. The Polish society is ready for change.”