Description: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that his Civic Platform party was targeted by a cyberattack which most likely originated from Russia or Belarus. He accused the two countries of meddling within the Polish political system ahead of the presidential elections in the country scheduled for 18 May. The pro – European centrist also a member of Civic Platform Rafal Trzaskowski is the frontrunner polling 35% of the projected votes. He is followed by the far – right Slawomir Mentzen from the Confederation party who polls around 20% of the projected votes, and Conservative party candidate Karol Nawrocki who also polls around 20% of the votes.
Impact: Poland has been the eastern pillar of NATO’s defense and support forces in the war in Ukraine which made the country a primary target for hybrid attacks from Russia and Belarus. The elections may well determine the country’s future strategic endeavors and positioning on key issues such as defense spending, economic growth and expanding regional influence. Russia and Belarus would naturally subject Poland under further hybrid threats in an attempt to subvert the country’s staunch position within the EU and NATO alliances. Poland would most likely elevate counterintelligence efforts and continue to dedicate resources towards its military buildup in countering continued Russian and Belarussian influence.