Russian Disinformation Narratives in the Election Campaign for the National Parliament Elections in Poland in 2023

The chapter explores the impact of Russian disinformation on the 2023 Polish parliamentary elections. It examines the Kremlin's use of propaganda to influence public debate, deepen social polarization, and undermine trust in political institutions. The study highlights how Russian narratives, particularly anti-Ukrainian and Eurosceptic content, were designed to weaken support for pro-European and pro-Ukrainian political parties. Despite the significant dissemination of such content, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that Russian interference directly influenced the election results. The analysis also points out how the disinformation campaign exploited divisions within Polish society and used various media outlets, including Telegram, to spread false information. Although pro-Kremlin narratives intensified social tensions, the study suggests that the most pro-Russian political faction, Confederation, did not perform as strongly as expected in the election. Ultimately, the research confirms that Russian disinformation played a destabilizing role in the democratic processes of Poland, although its direct impact on election outcomes remains inconclusive.