The translation of the previous post (text by Stanisław Brejdygant I published here) (translation with an AI aid):
Today, a warning from me:
This may well be my last reflection on the unfortunate nation to which I belong.
At the end of my life, I find myself once again witnessing something in our history that reveals a tendency—a readiness—for self-destruction, for a desire for self-annihilation.
I cannot—truly cannot—understand why half the nation, my nation, my fellow countrymen, seems to have gone blind.
Poland—our homeland—after over a century of nonexistence (save for a brief twenty-year episode of independence between the two world wars), has at last—fulfilling the dreams of generations—become truly free.
And safe.
By a stroke of luck, it found itself a member of the great defensive alliance of Western nations—NATO—and of a vast, coherent, supranational structure, ready to compete and confront the rest of the world—the European Union.
And yet, on May 18th, 2025, following the first round of the presidential election, I discovered that at least half of the nation holds these gifts of fortune—especially EU membership—in utter disregard.
Half of my fellow citizens have allowed themselves to be duped by demagogues—some of whom may well be agents of a hostile power, and others perhaps unconsciously serving that power’s interests, the so-called “useful idiots.”
Nearly a third of voters are willing to entrust the presidency of the Republic of Poland to a man who promotes views deeply harmful to the interests of the homeland.
Karol Nawrocki seeks to ignore the European Union. Instead of solidifying Poland’s standing—to be among the top three decision-makers—he fuels toxic, harmful, anti-German phobias.
He also agitates—against Ukraine, in direct opposition to our most vital national interest.
And yet—for God’s sake—how can one not see that with such strong individuals at the helm of our state—like the current Prime Minister, who once led the EU, Donald Tusk, and the widely respected Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, and finally (I hope he wins, because otherwise our international standing collapses), President Rafał Trzaskowski, known among world leaders—we could have real influence on the fate of Europe. And thus—understand this, people!—on our own fate, the fate of Poland.
This applies equally to the voters of Konfederacja.
These are mostly young people—incomprehensibly so to me—who don’t seem to realize that if Konfederacja's program were implemented, free travel around the world would come to an end, and they, young enthusiasts of Konfederacja, would once again face the nightmare of waiting in line at embassies for visas.
There would be no more Erasmus programs, no more studies at foreign universities.
So, boys and girls—wake up!
Do you really want paid university tuition?
Do you really want to persecute gays and Jews, as your idol Mentzen wishes?
And do you—like him—believe that rape is just a bit of an inconvenience, but the woman must give birth anyway?
My young, deluded, confused—perhaps even intoxicated—friends…
Do you really want the kind of Poland that Mentzen or Nawrocki would create for you?
I hope not.
So please, wake up, focus, think—and go vote for the still young in spirit, yet highly experienced Rafał Trzaskowski.
I admire and value your rebelliousness.
Not long ago, I was young too.
And I want to believe that your generation will make this country better, more justly governed.
But believe me: it’s one thing to rebel in a free, democratic country—which is what you currently live in—and quite another in a state shaped by your idol, and especially (watch out not to accidentally vote for him!) Karol Nawrocki.
As for those who voted for Grzegorz Braun—I’m not even sure if I should address you.
It’s horrifying to think about.
He received over 6% of the vote.
Those who voted for him cast their ballots for a fascist. Yes, I’m not afraid to say it. This man’s program is far bolder than that of the Blackshirts who marched on Rome under their leader, Benito Mussolini.
We all know the saying, “Poles are wise only after the damage is done.”
It fits the current moment perfectly.
Because I do know how our history will unfold if—God forbid—Karol Nawrocki becomes president.
He will block every attempt at healing and cleansing the state.
Should we finally see long-awaited trials, and those guilty of large-scale corruption and theft under the PiS regime (that is, the mafia state) be sentenced, it’s a given that this president would pardon them all.
He will do everything possible to sabotage any reform aimed at restoring integrity.
The PiS-constructed traps and structures—left to ensnare their successors—will continue to function under a PiS president.
In fact, they will be reactivated.
Thus, it will be impossible to heal the state or restore the rule of law.
The current government would be doomed to lose the upcoming parliamentary elections.
And then we would fully transition into an autocratic state—which, according to the dreams of the PiS chairman, will have “achieved sovereignty.”
Even if we don’t formally exit the EU, we will in practice cease to exist within it.
Following the Hungarian or Slovak model, our unfortunate country may not become Belarus—but very nearly so.
Finally, just as PiS’s “patriots” desire—we would become, in their eyes, a truly sovereign state.
And so, in desperation and hopelessness, I cry out:
Is this what you want, my fellow Poles, who plan to vote for Karol Nawrocki on June 1st?
Think! Is this really what you want?
But then again… I cry out in vain.
You won’t hear me.
You don’t read Gazeta Wyborcza.
Unless someone shows you this text. But even then, if you read it, your denial mechanism will kick in.
You’ll reject it.
Because “Poles are wise only—after—the damage is done.”
Just like with the Constitution of May 3rd.
Magnificent. Necessary.
But it came too late—after the damage was done…
So in closing, a final appeal to those who, I believe, want to be wise before the damage is done—to the left-wing presidential candidates, Magdalena Biejat and Adrian Zandberg.
My dear ones, whose views are close to mine—because, as I often say, my heart is on the left.
And in a stable democracy, I would most likely vote for social democrats.
Though I’ve never joined any party.
I admire your programs. I feel aligned with them. But sadly, I must confess—you have disappointed me a bit, Ms. Magdalena. Though I hold you in high regard.
I deeply believe in your integrity and honesty.
I wish you a successful political career. But you should not have said, when asked whether you would urge your voters to support Trzaskowski, that you need to speak with him first.
Of course, you should speak with him.
But when THE HOMELAND IS IN DANGER, it is not right—not morally acceptable—to set conditions.
You are, after all, on the same side.
And both of you—hopefully along with the majority of the nation—fear the worst, which, unfortunately, could still come.
And now a word to Mr. Zandberg.
I respect your unyielding stance.
Though, if you’ll forgive me, you somewhat remind me of those meticulous Marxist cell members from the early 20th century, zealously guarding doctrinal purity.
Still, I don’t doubt your honesty and good intentions.
And your dedication to serving working people. But I would like to gently point out that your stance—“opposing all authority”—makes sense and can be effective only in a democratic regime.
Under a PiS regime sliding toward authoritarianism—especially under President Nawrocki—your chances of making any impact will be negligible.
Believe me, it’s better to rebel against the "libs."
And I appeal to you: urge people to vote for Trzaskowski.
Stanisław Brejdygant, Pole, 89 years old