The election of US president Joe Biden has reportedly concerned the Polish government after years of close ties with the Trump administration. Polish president Andrzej Duda, who is known for his controversial views on the LGBTQ+ community, has received continuous endorsement from Donald Trump, and in turn allowed for increased US military prescence in Poland. Experts told AFP News Duda is now concerned Poland will lose its status without US support.
Ryszard Schnepf, Poland’s former ambassador to the US, said following Trump’s removal from office: “Poland will lose its status of privileged partner and president Duda is worried. They do not know how they are going to be treated by the new administration”. Unlike Trump, Biden has been critical of the Polish government’s regime.
Biden said the LGBTQ+ free towns in Poland, many of which were created after the re-election of Duda earlier this year, have “no place in the EU or in the world”. Duda has frequently vowed to crack down on LGBTQ+ ‘ideology’, and it is estimated there are now over 100 LGBTQ+ free zones in the country. On the other hand, Biden promised to increase protections for queer Americans, after previously saying: “I’ll fight every day in the White House to create a country where you can live open, proud, and free — without fear.” Schnepf suggested the contrast in attitudes between Biden and Duda may cause conflict as Biden is more likely to oppose Poland’s domestic policies.
