President Andrzej Duda's speech at Karol Nawrocki's convention strongly polarized the political landscape. He launched a frontal attack on the Tusk government, repeating PiS's harshest accusations and urging PiS voters to mobilize as in previous elections.
Initially, PiS attempted to portray Nawrocki as a 'citizen candidate,' but this strategy proved ineffective. The convention in Łódź firmly linked Nawrocki to PiS, positioning him as Duda's successor and a continuation of the current government's policies. This strategy aims to mobilize the PiS electorate but carries political risks.
The highly polarizing message employed by both Duda and Nawrocki, focusing on the threat of the opposition, might backfire. The more radical the campaign, the more the opposition will be mobilized, particularly in a second round.
While the opposition initially struggled, President Duda's actions might inadvertently energize them. The highly polarizing messages could benefit the opposition in the long run, by drawing attention to the implications of a continued PiS administration.