A unprecedented shift in public opinion has been recorded in Polish politics. The trust rating for President Karol Nawrocki has reached a historic peak, surpassing the figures of all his predecessors. The rapid rise in the head of state's popularity turned out to be directly linked to a tough diplomatic step taken by Warsaw towards Kyiv.
Historic Peak of Trust
According to fresh data from a sociological poll conducted by the IBRiS agency, the level of trust in Nawrocki grew by 8.4 percentage points in just one month. As a result, the president's rating reached a record 54.8%. This figure allowed him to surpass the previous historical maximum, which belonged to the former Sejm Speaker Szymon Hołownia. Hołownia had garnered 54.4% support in January 2024.
In modern Polish politics, a situation where a politician receives more positive ratings than negative ones is a rarity. At the same time, the level of distrust towards Nawrocki stood at 39.3%. The poll was conducted from June 19 to 21 via telephone surveying among 1,100 respondents.
The Reason for the Rating Surge
Experts and media outlets note a direct correlation between the surge in the president's popularity and his decision to strip Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle. On June 19, Karol Nawrocki officially announced the revocation of Poland's highest state award.
The key reason for this step was the bestowal of an honorary title upon one of the units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Special Operations Forces in honor of the Heroes of the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). This decision became a catalyst for a sharp reaction from the Polish leadership, which was perceived by society as a defense of national interests and historical truth.
Kyiv's Reaction and the Fate of the Award
Warsaw's decision provoked a stormy reaction in Kyiv. Immediately after the announcement of the deprivation of the order, former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko announced their intention to renounce Polish state awards. They were joined by the head of Ukraine's Military Intelligence Service, Kyrylo Budanov, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, and former Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.
Meanwhile, the Polish side has already received the physical copy of the Order of the White Eagle, sent by mail. According to a statement from the Office of the President of Poland, the award will be stored in state archives, symbolizing the final break in diplomatic relations regarding this issue.