President Karol Nawrocki responds to his wife’s controversial magazine cover appearance, calling for divine forgiveness.
Magazine Criticizes Early Military Pensions
A “Polityka” article noted that both Marta Nawrocka and Urszula Brzezińska-Hołownia retired before turning 40. The article highlighted that “the army of young people receiving military pensions for life is growing faster than those who are supposed to defend us,” with the state spending over 30 billion zlotys annually on these pensions, which the publication described as “a taboo system.” This text by Joanna Solska was published on February 24.
President’s Reaction to the Cover
President Karol Nawrocki commented on the cover featuring his wife, stating in a February 26 conversation with journalists: “I saw the cover of ‘Polityka,’ but I repeat, my wife, who worked for 20 years both in a special department and civilly in the National Tax Administration, is too strong a woman to worry about the covers of ‘Polityka’.”
Nawrocki further commented: “Those who co-decide about Polish public life, voters, those who participate in elections, should remember such a cover and this type of journalistic behavior, both in the context of my wife and the wife of Marshal Hołownia, and God should forgive the authors of this text.”
Hołownia’s Response to Criticism
On Tuesday, Szymon Hołownia emphasized that his wife “never sought the spotlight,” stating: “She is not a public person. Her only fault is that she is my wife. No one called her to ask if they could use her face, name, image.”
Hołownia wrote on X: “Marta Nawrocka also did not choose this fate. While performing, without compensation, the duties of the First Lady—should she still issue tax fines? I always and everywhere repeated and observed this rule in campaigns: leave families of politicians alone, it’s not their fault that we do what we do.”
He added: “Be ashamed, editorial office of ‘Polityka.’ Ulenka, I apologize that you have to go through such things from people whose lives and peace you were willing to pay for with blood.”
Background on the Women Featured
Marta Nawrocka worked for 18 years in the National Tax Administration, with her last position related to controlling the oil, spirits, and illegal gambling industries. She resigned after her husband’s victory in last year’s presidential elections.
Meanwhile, Urszula Brzezińska-Hołownia was a MiG-29 fighter pilot at the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Mińsk Mazowiecki. She retired in January of this year after 15 years of service.
Polityka’s Stance
“Polityka” informed the inquirers that they do not comment on their covers when contacted for a reaction regarding the cover featuring Nawrocka and Brzezińska-Hołownia.
