Karol Nawrocki poisoning allegations spark government and political debate in Poland

During the 2025 presidential campaign, candidate Karol Nawrocki reported a sudden collapse and severe vomiting after a rally in Ząbkowice Śląskie and Dzierżoniów on 15 May 2025. In a later interview published in the book “Skąd się wzięły Karol Nawrocki?”, he suggested the incident could have been a poisoning attempt.

Government spokesman Adam Szłapka said the case was surprising because it had not been reported to authorities before, and emphasized that the President’s security is now overseen by the State Protection Service. He called for any irregularities to be investigated.

Opposition figures dismissed the claims. Former Sejm Marshal Szymon Hołownia called the speculation “totalne banialuki,” while Minister of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak questioned why an ambulance was not called and noted that the prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation. The debate continues over whether the incident was a health issue, a viral infection, or a deliberate poisoning attempt.