Ahead of the upcoming presidential vote in May, Sławomir Mentzen, the candidate advocating for Poland to establish its own Bitcoin reserve, has seen a rise in popularity in the polls. Mentzen, a bold advocate for cryptocurrency, has garnered public attention in recent weeks with promises to transform Poland into a cryptocurrency haven.
Mentzen, a nationalist candidate, has found significant support among younger Poles, many of whom regularly attend his rallies. Analysts attribute this support to his active presence on social media, along with his campaign’s thematic similarities to the political messaging of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Polish citizens will cast their votes on May 18 to elect a new president. Incumbent Andrzej Duda is unable to run for re-election due to constitutional restrictions on term limits, paving the way for a fresh face in Polish politics.
While no candidate is expected to secure a decisive victory in the first round, Rafał Trzaskowski, Warsaw’s mayor and nominee of the center-right Civic Platform party, is currently leading in the polls. Trailing him is historian Karol Nawrocki, with Mentzen, the candidate for the far-right Confederation Liberty and Independence party, close behind.
Despite currently holding third place, Mentzen’s popularity is on the rise. A mid-March survey conducted by Polish research company Opinia24 showed Mentzen with 18.9% support, less than a percentage point behind Nawrocki. Trzaskowski, while leading, lacks the necessary support for a first-round victory with 32% of respondents’ backing.
Mentzen’s pro-crypto stance appeals particularly to younger voters. Approximately 46% of Poles aged 18 to 29 have expressed their intention to vote for Mentzen. He also leads among Polish citizens in the 30-39 age bracket and has a slight edge over Trzaskowski among male voters.
Mentzen’s campaign, “Strong Rich Poland,” mirrors many of Trump’s campaign promises, including strengthening borders, defending free speech, reducing bureaucracy, and implementing low and simple taxes. He also opposes the deployment of Polish troops in Ukraine.
A significant portion of Mentzen’s platform is dedicated to cryptocurrency. He criticizes the Polish state for its opposition to cryptocurrency due to its inability to control it. Mentzen pledges to free up cryptocurrency trading and to establish the most crypto-friendly law in the European Union.
Mentzen, who holds a degree in physics and a PhD in economics, has a varied professional background that includes owning a law firm and a beer brand. His doctoral thesis focused on public debt, demonstrating his deep understanding of financial matters. As the election draws closer, it remains to be seen if Mentzen’s pro-crypto stance will be enough to secure him the presidency.
