Trump-backed conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Poland has elected Karol Nawrocki, a conservative candidate backed by President Donald Trump, in the country’s presidential runoff election. According to the final vote count issued on Monday, Nawrocki secured 50.89% of the vote, narrowly defeating liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%. This victory comes after a divisive first round of voting two weeks ago, which highlighted deep divisions within the nation.
Nawrocki’s win means that he will succeed Andrzej Duda, a conservative serving his second and final term until August 6. Trzaskowski gracefully conceded defeat and congratulated Nawrocki, expressing gratitude to all who supported him. In a statement, Trzaskowski mentioned, “I fought for us to build a strong, safe, honest, and empathetic Poland together. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to convince the majority of citizens of my vision for Poland. I’m sorry we didn’t win together.”
During the campaign, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem endorsed Nawrocki at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Warsaw. She commended Poland’s strict border enforcement and criticized European leaders for allowing mass migration, claiming it had “destroyed their civilizations.” Noem’s support for Nawrocki aligned with President Trump, who hosted the conservative candidate at the White House in early May.
Nawrocki’s victory has garnered international attention, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extending his congratulations. Zelenskyy praised Poland as a pillar of regional and European security and expressed eagerness for continued collaboration under Nawrocki’s leadership. The U.S., which has 10,000 troops stationed in Poland, anticipates deepening military ties with the new president.
Nawrocki, a 42-year-old amateur boxer and historian, has promised to prioritize Polish citizens for social services and criticized Ukrainian refugees for allegedly taking advantage of Polish generosity. This stance aligns with his national conservative worldview, earning praise from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. While some EU leaders offered congratulations, emphasizing shared democratic values, Nawrocki’s victory signals a return to power for the Law and Justice party, which governed Poland from 2015 to 2023.
The Law and Justice party’s return to power poses challenges for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist coalition, particularly regarding unfulfilled promises such as loosening abortion restrictions and passing a civil partnership law for same-sex couples. Observers speculate that Tusk’s ability to govern until the next parliamentary election in 2027 may be hindered by Law and Justice’s potential for future cooperation with conservatives in his coalition.
In conclusion, Karol Nawrocki’s election as the new President of Poland marks a significant political shift with potential implications for domestic and international policies. As he takes office, the world will be watching closely to see how his leadership shapes Poland’s future.
