Crazy Conspiracy Theories in the 2023 Polish Parliamentary and Senate Elections
- Autor: Maciej Lesiak - 18 minutes read - 3741 wordsWhat's in this article
The elections to the Polish Sejm and Senate in 2023, as well as the 2024 local elections, brought not only a wave of emotions but also a flood of disinformation and conspiracy theories that exploded in social media. Confederation politicians took the lead here. Based on the analysis and observations of @Nocny_Pingwin, we present a catalog of selected individuals who actively propagated conspiracy theories during the pre-election period.
The aim of this post is to show how disinformation can influence public opinion and how important it is to approach online content critically. I also hope that my post and the preservation of selected profile screenshots will help prevent this stage in Polish internet history from disappearing.
I am currently presenting archival content, but Nocny Pingwin continues to do a tremendous job showcasing more conspiratorial antics of candidates from the Confederation’s EU Parliament list.
Disclaimer: All materials are copied from the official social media profiles of the candidates. Descriptions of their interests and biographies are taken from the Internet, from their own statements. Redacted from comments on the @Nocny_Pingwin profile with the provided evidence source. If you believe the content presented here is untrue, please contact me.
Agata Radek:
Agata Radek, running as number 4 on the Confederation list in district 40, a member of the New Hope party, is a true conspiracy theory enthusiast. On her profile, you can find classic motifs: deadly 5G/Wi-Fi, anti-vaccine disinformation, miracle cures, and the ever-reliable Jerzy Zięba, along with Trump fighting evil in the form of Bill Gates.
Born in 1972, she graduated from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin and is a special education teacher. Professionally, she is associated with the Special Educational Center in Koszalin, where she works with children with intellectual disabilities. She is also a member of the Korwin party, which perfectly complements her political profile full of unconventional views.
Andrzej Kaniewski:
removed from the list - thanks for the correction from @Nocny_pingwin
Beata Adamska
Beata Adamska, another flat-earther on the Confederation lists, seems to draw extensively from the rich palette of conspiracy theories. A tourism technician living in Frydrychowice, Beata passionately shares content that, in the world of science and common sense, sounds like the best jokes. Her profile features real gems: the European Union turning people into mushroom zombies using cricket flour, flat earth, Elvis lives, Nibiru, deadly 5G, Wi-Fi, chemtrails, deadly watches, clairvoyance, and the revelation that the real year is 1033. Beata is a devoted fan of an internet creator with the pseudonym “observer of the end / observer777,” whose videos prove the flat earth and many other crazy theories, such as satanic conspiracies and zombies.
Her profile is a real treasury of alternative knowledge. From it, we learn that the European Union plans to turn people into mushroom zombies using cricket flour, that there are star gates on Antarctica, and that Elvis Presley is still alive and well. Of course, there is no shortage of classic themes like deadly 5G, Wi-Fi, and chemtrails. Beata takes it a step further, claiming that vaccines contain graphene, which can be activated by certain frequencies—presumably, 5G.
She is also no stranger to pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian propaganda, according to which Russia is not the aggressor in the invasion of Ukraine. Beata serves up a collection of madness: 1,000 years of human history are made up, the real year is 1033, human meat is in McDonald’s, the New World Order (NWO), Freemasons, clairvoyance, and curing cancer with baking soda. With such an abundance of “knowledge,” Beata is undoubtedly one of the most colorful candidates of the Confederation’s Polish Crown party.
Danuta Grzyb
Danuta Grzyb, running as number 12 on the Confederation list in district 5 and a member of the New Hope party, is a true treasure trove of conspiracy theories. Professionally, she works as an assistant to people with disabilities from Brzozie, but privately, she is an enthusiast of flat earth, reptilians, anti-vaccine nonsense, deadly 5G, chemtrails, NWO, HAARP, Illuminati, and the flat-earther sect fighting against reptilians.
Danuta actively promotes the sect “Bright Side of Power,” whose content is so absurd that it’s hard to believe anyone takes it seriously. In one of the videos shared by Danuta, you can hear about masturbation summoning demons, reptilians, Illuminati, and NWO. She regularly shares links to groups for advanced conspiracy theorists, where flat-earth and reptilian theories dominate. The classics of the conspiracy scene are also present: deadly 5G causing coronavirus and chemtrails, with a new addition—poison dropped from helicopters.
Anti-vaccine nonsense is a standard on Danuta’s profile, including theories about graphene in vaccines. On the Confederation lists, this is nothing new. Danuta also serves up other gems: NWO, Illuminati, HAARP weapons, depopulation, a fake war in Ukraine, chipping, worms deliberately causing cancer, garlic curing cancer, and Bill Gates as the villain.
Unfortunately, despite her rich portfolio of conspiracy theories, Danuta did not win a seat, receiving only 487 votes (0.09% in her district). However, her contribution to spreading conspiracy theories will surely be remembered by her devoted followers.
Link to movie: https://cda.pl/video/3721387c4
Link to movie: https://facebook.com/izabela.rosiak.94/videos/416912186999446/
Grzegorz Gierek
Grzegorz Gierek, number 17 on the Confederation list in district 41 and a member of New Hope, is passionate about conspiracy theories. Managing a business in Szczecin, Grzegorz shares his discoveries: chipping as the mark of the beast, fake moon landings, Jewish conspiracies, deadly 5G and vaccines, NWO, and miraculous resurrections.
His profile features no shortage of classics, such as deadly 5G and chips being the mark of the beast, or Satan. He repeats anti-vaccine disinformation and lies about LGBT people, suggesting they are pedophiles. It’s curious how he feels about Korwin-Mikke’s statements on the legality of relations with 8-year-olds.
Grzegorz also loves the theory that Stanley Kubrick filmed the moon landing and was killed by NASA. He adds in NWO, life-giving climate warming, miraculous resurrection after eating a poisoned jellyfish, and the flat-earther sect “Bright Side of Power” fighting reptilians.
Despite his rich repertoire of conspiracy theories, Grzegorz did not win a seat, receiving 529 votes (0.10% in his district). His belief in conspiracies and the courage to voice them secured him a place in the pantheon of the most colorful Confederation figures.
Grzegorz Piątkowski:
The saddest candidate. He got 1 vote in the election. Probably voted for himself. RIP
Grzegorz Piątkowski, number 5 on the Confederation list in district 41, is a true connoisseur of conspiracy theories. His profile is a showcase of absurdities: deadly 5G, chemtrails, vaccinations, phones, pro-Russian propaganda from Leszek Sykulski, Rockefeller conspiracies, antisemitism, and libertarian concert-blocking. Born in 1966, he lives in Przybiernówek (Gryfice municipality), studied at the University of Szczecin, and is a teacher and entrepreneur running his own business.
Despite such an impressive portfolio of conspiracy theories, Grzegorz does not belong to any political party, which did not stop him from actively spreading disinformation. His ability to convince people to his views resulted in… one vote in Stara Dąbrowa municipality! Yes, you read that right—one vote out of 1,658 valid votes, giving an astonishing result of 0.06%. You’d think that with such a collection of conspiracy theories and a strong belief in libertarian concert-blocking, Grzegorz would attract more supporters. But as we see, even masters have their slips.
Iwona Bogaczyk:
Iwona Bogaczyk, number 16 on the Confederation list in district 15, is another enthusiast of the “Confederation starter pack.” Her profile features the classics: deadly 5G, chemtrails, chipping, New World Order, evil Bill Gates, Jerzy Zięba’s medicine, and an ocean of anti-vaccine disinformation. A farmer by profession, living in Strzeszyn, Iwona does not belong to any political party, which did not stop her from promoting a wide spectrum of conspiracy theories.
Unfortunately, her engagement in the campaign did not bring the expected results. In Zakliczyn municipality, Iwona gathered a staggering… 2 votes. It seems the only people she managed to convince were herself and probably her husband, who most likely voted out of marital obligation. This situation not only shows how difficult it is to gain supporters for such views but also highlights that even the most fervent conspiracy theorists can count on very little support.
Jerzy Obidziński:
Jerzy Obidziński, number 7 on the Confederation list in district 16, is a farmer from Obiedzin Górny and a member of the Confederation of the Polish Crown party. His profile is a true mosaic of conspiracy theories: three World Trade Center towers, chemtrails, anti-vaccine nonsense, antisemitism, NWO, curing cancer with apricots and baking soda, chipping, and content from “Bright Side of Power.” He probably hasn’t discovered deadly 5G yet, but it’s surely just a matter of time. Unfortunately, his colorful set of theories did not bring him electoral success, remaining only a curiosity on the margins of the campaign.
Justyna Jarocka:
Krystyna Jarocka, a Confederation candidate for the Senate from district 9, is a true star of anti-science nonsense and Russian disinformation. Professionally an electronics engineer, since 2013 she has propagated anti-vaccine views, back when it wasn’t yet fashionable. Her profile is a kaleidoscope of conspiracy theories: deadly vaccines, murderous 5G and Wi-Fi, planet Nibiru, NWO, Illuminati, miraculous resurrections, and depopulation.
Krystyna, a fan of Jerzy Zięba and Hubert Czerniak, also claims that masks cause lung fungus and she wants to hang Niedzielski. Deadly 5G and murderous Wi-Fi routers are other hits, which she recommends turning off at night. The collection of madness is completed by stories about planet Nibiru, the New World Order, Illuminati, Bill Gates, living without a brain, and depopulation.
There is no shortage of Russian disinformation either: the war in Ukraine is fiction, Ukrainians teach children Nazism, and Krystyna is a fan of pro-Russian propagandist Leszek Sykulski. Her quotes, such as “when they came for the homosexuals, I did not protest because I was not a homosexual (…) and when they came for me, there was no one left to protest,” fit perfectly with Grzegorz Braun’s demands for jailing homosexuals.
Despite this rich array of theories, Krystyna did not win a seat, remaining just another colorful Confederation candidate.
Karolina Pikuła:
Karolina Pikuła, number 30 on the Confederation list in district 23, is a journalist by profession, also the chair of the Polish Crown in district 23 and the regional director of the Rolnik Handluje Foundation. Known for her crusade against deadly 5G, spreading anti-vaccine nonsense, anti-Ukrainian propaganda, and suggesting the hanging of political opponents, Karolina is the author of many anti-Ukrainian fake stories.
Despite her activity and colorful conspiracy theories, Karolina did not win a seat.
Marek Banyś:
Marek Banyś, number 11 on the Confederation list in district 8, is an electrician from Lipki Wielkie who has taken his passion for conspiracy theories to a new level. He raps and sings about deadly vaccines, combining his musical skills with disinformation. His profile is a real treasure trove of conspiracy theories and disinformation: deadly vaccines, 5G, Wi-Fi, chemtrails, HAARP, deadly fries, a gravitational phone, antisemitism, Freemasons, and curing cancer with walnuts.
Marek is a staunch anti-vaxxer, and most of his posts are vaccine disinformation, inspired by Justyna Socha. His musical talents serve him in promoting these views—he raps and sings about the supposed dangers of vaccines, as can be heard in his songs.
Marek’s profile also contains a lot of Russian disinformation and antisemitic posts. There is no shortage of conspiracy theory classics: deadly 5G, Wi-Fi, chemtrails, HAARP, Freemasons, depopulation, and curing cancer with walnuts. Marek goes even further, promoting the theory of “deadly” fries, apples, and toothpaste, as well as a conspiracy theory about a gravitational phone—a secret device that uses gravity to make calls. Of course, in his view, the moon landing was a hoax.
Bonus: Marek does his own “research” and carefully verifies every piece of information, which is why he fell for a bait about the Pope, proving his unwavering belief in internet “discoveries.”
Despite his activity and creativity in spreading disinformation, Marek did not win a seat, remaining a colorful figure among Confederation candidates.
Music: https://twitter.com/i/status/1704417784132747557
Mariusz Bożyk:
Mariusz Bożyk, number 16 on the Confederation list in district 14, is an IT technician who has taken his technical skills to a whole new level—conspiracy theory. A member of the New Hope party, Mariusz is a true master of fantastic stories. His profile features energy vampires, a Martian civilization in Antarctica, the Anunnaki, Nazis on the Moon, flashlights mutating flies, deadly 5G, chemtrails, fluoride, and telepathy.
As an IT technician, Bożyk is an avid fan of the Tajemity channel, from which he draws his most creative ideas. From him, we learn about time travel, energy vampires, and Nazis flying to Mars. He is convinced that a technologically advanced alien civilization once existed on Earth and settled in Antarctica.
Bożyk regularly posts claiming that chemtrails are a daily reality. As an IT technician, he often posts his own photos and videos of the sky, showing “spraying” poison. There is no shortage of anti-vaccine and anti-Ukrainian disinformation either—because, of course, an IT technician’s profile without these theories is like spaghetti without sauce.
The collection of craziness on his profile is impressive: Harry Potter linked to the Women’s Strike, New World Order, deadly fluoride, satanist conspiracies, the theory of multiple suns, the Moon as a mirror, telepathy, HAARP, radioactive flashlights, climate change denial, aliens, the pandemic conspiracy, worms in masks, and miracle cures.
Despite this rich portfolio of theories, Mariusz, the IT technician, did not win a seat. However, his profile remains a treasure trove of humor and a testament to how far an IT technician can go when they start getting into conspiracy theories.
Monika Jakulewicz (formerly Kicińska):
Monika Jakulewicz, number 11 on the Confederation list in district 13, is an entrepreneur from Ciecierzyn whose social media profile is a true kaleidoscope of conspiracy theories. On her pages, we find ancient giants, people living for 160 years, deadly 5G, chips, antisemitism, Freemasons, the New World Order, and miracle cancer cures. Additionally, Monika actively spreads pro-Russian content, and her attachment to Vladimir Putin is evident in her frequent shares of links to the “Vladimir Putin Fan Club”.
Like many of her Confederation colleagues, Monika propagates anti-vaccine nonsense and claims that fluoride is deadly. Her profiles are full of antisemitic content and jokes about murdering Jews, as well as conspiracy theories about Jews ruling the world.
There is no shortage of conspiracy theory classics: New World Order, ancient human giants, deadly 5G, fluoride, murderous doctors, Bill Gates’ satanic chips, and miracle cancer cures.
Monika is not afraid of Russia, but rather considers it less of a threat than America and Ukraine. She admits that her stance is “a bit pro-Russian” and claims that the biggest threat is the USA, which she believes is behind the “destruction of Nord Stream.”
Despite her colorful set of views and theories, Monika did not win a seat, but her public confessions and online activity leave a lasting mark on the world of conspiracy theories.
Olaf Swolkień (Citizens Institute in Łódź):
Olaf Swolkień, number 16 on the Confederation list in district 13, is a journalist with impressive education—a sociologist and historian, a scholar at the Environmental Law Institute and the German Marshall Fund. He is the president of the Green Federation Krakow and the deputy director of the Citizens’ Institute in Łódź. Olaf also coordinated the “Campaign for Ecological Transport—Trucks on Trains.” The author of the book “New System—Same Values,” Olaf uses his social media platforms to spread a wide range of conspiracy theories.
On his profile, deadly 5G, Wi-Fi, and vaccines reign supreme, which, according to him, will soon wipe out all of Poland, especially with the new offers from Play or Orange. Olaf is also an ardent promoter of pro-Russian content, regularly sharing posts by Piotr Panasiuk and Wojciech Olszański (aka Aleksander Jabłonowski, “Jaszczur”), who openly cheer for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
Olaf Swolkień does not limit himself to 5G and Wi-Fi issues. On his profile, we also find the usual anti-vaccine nonsense, climate change denial, theories about the New World Order, Jerzy Zięba’s miracle cures that heal everything with vitamin C infusions, and absurd claims about laptops for fourth-graders leading to IQ drops in newborns.
Despite his colorful presence on social media and wide range of conspiracy theories, Olaf Swolkień from the Citizens’ Institute did not win a seat. However, his work remains a testament to how far one can go in spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories, even with such a rich education and professional experience.
Rafał Czubak:
Rafał Czubak, number 5 on the Confederation list in district 17, is an entrepreneur from Chlewiska and a member of the Polish Crown Confederation, whose social media profile breaks all records in the amount of conspiracy theories. There, we find portals to the “outer Earth” in Antarctica, ancient giants, planet Nibiru, a conspiracy of people trading in creams made from foreskins, deadly 5G, Wi-Fi, chemtrails, vaccinations, NWO, aliens, and chipping.
His profile is dominated by posts about deadly 5G, which “activates coronaviruses” and kills birds, chemtrails, chipping, and anti-vaccine nonsense. Rafał shared the film “The Fall of the Cabal,” a “documentary” by QAnon members that talks about satanists in Hollywood drinking the blood of tortured children, trading in creams made from foreskins, and Trump’s time travel.
There was also no shortage of anti-Ukrainian content, pro-Russian propaganda, and posts with antisemitic overtones. Rafał regularly shares material from the flat-earther sect “Bright Side of Power,” claiming that we live inside the planet, and you can get to the outside through a portal in Antarctica.
His profile is a real collection of bizarre theories: a portal in Antarctica leading to the outer world, real photos of aliens, ancient giants, NWO, planet Nibiru, curing cancer with ginger tea, and the suggestion that Angela Merkel is related to Hitler.
In the end, it’s worth mentioning that MPs should write in Polish better than a third-grader, which unfortunately is not always Rafał’s strong suit.
Despite his impressive collection of conspiracy theories, Rafał Czubak did not win a seat.
Roman Szostek:
Roman Szostek, number 4 on the Confederation list in district 23, is a PhD in technical sciences in the field of automation and robotics, an academic lecturer, and an associate professor at the Rzeszów University of Technology. As a scientist working on applications of mathematics and theoretical physics, Szostek can boast publications in international scientific journals and works criticizing contemporary physical theories.
Surely, someone who has disproved Einstein’s theories and made the greatest discovery in physics since Newton can’t be wrong, right? Especially when he shares films by Justyna Socha and Jerzy Zięba, as well as content about depopulation, NWO, deadly 5G, chemtrails, and vaccines. As a member of the National Council of the Polish Crown Confederation, Roman Szostek perfectly combines his scientific career with a passion for conspiracy theories.
Szostek not only questions established physical theories but also actively propagates conspiracy theories, which seem to be a favorite topic among Confederation candidates. His profile contains a wealth of content about the alleged dangers of 5G, chemtrails, vaccines, and the New World Order (NWO), making him a colorful figure among scientists and politicians.
Despite his impressive scientific achievements and original theories, Roman Szostek did not win a seat, but his unique approach to science and politics will certainly not be forgotten.
Sylwia Siłuszyk:
Sylwia Siłuszyk, number 15 on the Confederation list in district 12, is an early childhood education teacher from Myślenice, born in 1968. Her profile is a true mosaic of conspiracy theories: satanic chipping, curing cancer with cloves, Illuminati, NWO, deadly 5G, chemtrails, vaccinations, and a huge amount of pro-Russian disinformation. It’s quite concerning that someone with such beliefs works as a teacher.
Sylwia is not a member of any political party, which did not stop her from spreading a wide range of conspiracy theories. She shares content about satanic chipping, which is particularly popular in far-right circles. Curing cancer with cloves and other pseudoscientific methods also find a place on her profile, alongside classic motifs like the Illuminati and the New World Order (NWO).
There is no shortage of deadly 5G, chemtrails, and anti-vaccine nonsense, which are standard on Confederation lists. Sylwia is also an active propagator of pro-Russian disinformation, which is especially concerning given her role as a teacher, influencing young minds.
Despite her activity and involvement in spreading disinformation, Sylwia did not win a seat. However, her profile remains an example of how deeply conspiracy theories can penetrate various spheres of life, including… early childhood education.
Tomasz Stelmach:
Tomasz Stelmach, number 12 on the Confederation list in district 16, is an automation technician by profession, born in 1974. His profile features the classics of conspiracy theories: deadly 5G, anti-vaccine content, curing cancer with garlic, pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian propaganda, and a hefty dose of antisemitism.
In the 2018 local elections, he unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Masovian Voivodeship Assembly as a candidate of the National Movement RP Election Committee. He is a member of the National Movement party. Despite his involvement manifested in social networks, he did not win a seat in the elections.
Wioletta Famulska:
Wioletta Famulska, numer 6 na liście Konfederacji w okręgu 10, to specjalista ochrony środowiska. Na jej profilu królują Conspiracy Theories in Poland: zabójcze 5G, Wi-Fi, szczepienia, New World Order (NWO), depopulacja oraz rosyjska dezinformacja “antywojenna” propagowana przez Leszka Sykulskiego. Twierdzi, że członkowie jej rodziny stracili wzrok po szczepionce na COVID-19.
Mimo swoich kontrowersyjnych poglądów i aktywności w mediach społecznościowych, Wioletta nie uzyskała mandatu.
Żaneta Nochowicz:
Żaneta Nochowicz, a flat-earther on the Confederation list (no. 4), believes in a flat earth, celebrities drinking the blood of children, and the trade of creams made from foreskins. Her profile is filled with theories about Trump traveling through time, tripping on mushrooms, mountains being ancient trees, NWO, deadly 5G, and chemtrails.
Żaneta is a devoted fan of QAnon and flat earth theories, and her profile is a real treasure trove of conspiracy gems. She regularly shares films like “What on Earth Happened” and “The Fall of the Cabal,” a mix of various conspiracy theories.
FILM CLIP: https://twitter.com/i/status/1705069829370093603
The standard Confederation set: deadly vaccines, 5G, Wi-Fi, and chemtrails. Żaneta adds pro-Russian disinformation to the mix, which she absorbs eagerly.
Her other favorite theories include: tripping on mushrooms, HAARP, Illuminati, time travel, deadly sausages and milk, murderous fluoride, Bill Gates’ mosquitoes, and governments trading in organs.
She did not win a seat, but she surely earned recognition in conspiracy circles.
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Szalone teorie spiskowe funkcjonujące w Wyborach do Sejmu i Senatu RP 2023
