Karol Nawrocki Wins Polish Presidential Election
Karol Nawrocki has been elected as Poland’s new president, narrowly beating liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski with 50.89% of the vote. The result came after a tense night where exit polls initially predicted a win for Trzaskowski. Both candidates claimed victory before final numbers were in, with Nawrocki urging supporters to “not lose hope.” The victory is a major blow to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU government, which has already struggled to pass reforms under the current conservative president.
A conservative historian and former head of Poland’s national remembrance institute, Nawrocki ran on a platform of national sovereignty and traditional values. Backed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, he vowed to veto liberal policies, echoing former President Andrzej Duda's approach. He opposes EU migration and climate policies, and although he supports helping Ukraine, he’s against its fast-track entry into NATO or the EU. His win is expected to energize PiS ahead of the 2027 parliamentary elections.
The narrow margin highlights deep divisions in Polish society. Some analysts fear Nawrocki’s presidency will lead to further political gridlock, with Tusk’s coalition lacking the majority needed to override vetoes. International reactions were mixed — EU leaders stressed continued cooperation, while nationalist politicians across Central Europe celebrated. “Trump will have more to say in Polish politics,” said Krzysztof Izdebski of the Batory Foundation, summing up a shift that may echo beyond Poland’s borders.
