Father Tadeusz Rydzyk, founder of the controversial Radio Maryja, believes the upcoming June presidential elections in Poland could be rigged in favour of Russian interests.
In a statement made during a Radio Maryja broadcast, the religious media mogul accused acting president Bronisław Komorowski of “being a member of the Polish military intelligence” and in cahoots with the Russian secret services .
In a programme aired last Thursday, Rydzyk cited a Nasz Dziennik newspaper report – a paper also owned by his ultra-conservative media group - where journalist Józef Szaniawski claims that the Kremlin is now deliberating which candidate would best govern Poland from the perspective of Russia’s interests, as was the case with Russia’s past rulers, including Peter I, Catherine II, and communist leaders, including Stalin and Khrushchev.
“If it was up to Moscow’s decision-makers, they would do anything to eliminate [Law and Justice candidate] Jarosław Kaczyński, and would opt for [Civic Platform candidate] Bronisław Komorowski,” writes Józef Szaniawski. The journalist claims that Komorowski, who was a “fervent supporter of Polish-Russian reconciliation”, was firmly opposed to dissolving the Military Information Services, which Rydzyk links with the Russian intelligence.
The head of Radio Maryja has stated that in the last presidential elections, Donald Tusk was allegedly backed by the Germans, and now Russia will support Komorowski.
No evidence was brought forward to back up the allegations, however.
Presidential elections were brought forward this year from autumn to June after the death of President Lech Kaczynski in the Smolensk air disaster in western Russia. (aba/pg)