Presidential Elections Approaching in Poland; One Candidate Narrowly Leading
Around 29 million Poles will head to the polls on Sunday to choose a new president in the second round of voting, who will serve a five-year term.
According to polls, the mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO), is narrowly leading ahead of Karol Nawrocki, the candidate supported by the main opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), reports Reuters.
These two candidates represent opposing visions of Poland's international relations, security strategy, and social policy.
Trzaskowski Slightly Ahead
Trzaskowski (53), Oxford-educated and the son of a jazz musician, advocates a liberal agenda that emphasizes the importance of women's rights and strong ties with the European Union and NATO.
He has pledged "peaceful cooperation" with the government of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and to help reverse judicial reforms implemented by PiS, which, according to critics from both the EU and within Poland, have undermined democratic checks and balances.
He stated that he is against accepting additional refugees after Poland already took in nearly a million Ukrainians fleeing the war, but remains committed to liberalizing abortion laws.
Trzaskowski believes Poland's own security depends on whether Ukraine becomes a member of NATO.
Nawrocki Backed by Trump
Nawrocki (42), a historian backed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, presents himself as a political outsider without “baggage” from the past. He wants Poland to follow a Trump-inspired path and considers Washington—not Brussels—the key ally of Warsaw, reports Reuters.
Nawrocki stated that after years of mistakes, including energy dependence on Russia and the EU climate deal, Europe needs “a strong conservative voice from Poland.”
“I will make Poland a leader of the European Union in transatlantic relations. We hold the best cards for that,” he said at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
His campaign has been marked by nationalist rhetoric and a focus on traditional values.
Nawrocki opposes abortion and wants coal mines to remain open until Poland develops its own nuclear energy; he also opposes EU migration policies.
Although he claims to support continued aid to Ukraine in the war, he says he would not ratify Kyiv’s application for NATO membership.
Accusations Against Both Candidates
Nawrocki is facing accusations from liberal media of lying about owning a second property, which he allegedly received from an elderly man in exchange for a promise of care he never provided.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
Trzaskowski, on the other hand, faces questions about whether a series of ads targeting his opponents violated campaign finance rules.
He also denies any legal violations.
The election takes place in a context of growing anti-establishment sentiment in Poland, with the far-right achieving its best result yet.
Pollsters expect that most of the far-right votes will go to Nawrocki.
