Why is Poland increasing military presence on its streets?

Some experts say it is all part of a political campaign, others say it is a question of national security.

Transcript

00:00 Recently, the presence of the military in public spaces in Poland has increased significantly

00:06 and it has sparked debate.

00:08 Opinions as to whether this is due to a real security threat or just part of the political

00:13 campaign before the upcoming elections are divided.

00:16 "If you want peace, prepare for war.

00:19 As far as possible, you have to take into account the financial possibilities of the

00:26 military, and security is a modern thing."

00:30 "I would like to become a soldier of the Gromov unit."

00:33 Experts' opinions are also divided.

00:36 Some say that the presence of the army in public life is justified and that the authorities'

00:41 reactions are adequate.

00:42 "In the ranking of social trust, the second highest place is occupied.

00:47 Moreover, the outbreak of the war in Ukraine causes that citizens are observing this situation

00:53 with great anxiety.

00:55 We have taken appropriate steps.

00:58 In Belarus, the fighters of the Wagner group have appeared, they are putting pressure on

01:03 the border and we expect various incidents to occur, including military incidents, so

01:10 the government cannot pass indifferently."

01:13 Others point out that the army and tensions in the region are used for internal political

01:20 purposes.

01:24 "We are dealing with the political and campaign use of real threat.

01:30 There is a play on the army, that only the government that is developing the army will

01:35 ensure security.

01:36 Around this, a policy is being made that has nothing to do with security, but it is supposed

01:44 to help the authorities to maintain power, although, with regard to the constitution, it should

01:51 not be so.

01:52 The army should be apolitical, and it is very clearly apolitical."

01:58 But troops on the streets do not represent everyone.

02:04 Those citizens who do not go to the military parade point out its political nature.

02:08 "The organizers, that is the government, the president, are certainly not the ones who are

02:16 closest to me, they are doing it for my benefit, and they are trying to cut off their actions.

02:22 I watched the speech of the president and the minister of the interior, and it was very

02:28 political, very much in the election program, so there was a plan of opposition and their

02:33 actions, so it is not the Poland I would like."

02:37 "Poland is a strongly polarized country, and when it comes to the military, today it is

02:42 no different, but despite divided opinions, the army will remain an important topic of

02:47 the election campaign."

02:48 Magdalena Chodovnik for Euronews from Warsaw.

02:51 [SWOOSH]