Polish far-right nationalists tap nightclub bouncer for presidential candidate

Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak. Marian Kowalski, Ruch Narodowy candidate for president

Ruch Narodowy (National Movement) is known primarily for organising Independence Day marches, which have invariably resulted in riots. The party claims the rioters are police provocateurs.

Support for the party hovers in the low single digits and polls indicate it would fall well short of the 5 percent threshold to win parliamentary seats.

Kowalski, aged 50, is the head of security at a nightclub in Lublin, eastern Poland, and a bodybuilding instructor, Ruch Narodowy leaders said in an interview for Catholic portal, Fronda.pl. He has been charged with assault. His case, in which he pleads innocence, is yet to be heard.

“He is the candidate of the Polish street,” Ruch Narodowy chairman, Robert Winnicki said.

Kowalski is Ruch Narodowy’s deputy chairman.

The party could not pick its most recognisable leaders, Winnicki and Krzysztof Bosak, as both are below the age threshold of 35.

Kowalski is the third candidate to announce his run ahead of the next year’s elections. Andrzej Duda of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party and Janusz Palikot of left-liberal Your Movement have also announced their candidacies. (an)