Karol Nawrocki, a pro-nationalist former boxer and historian, has been elected President of Poland, marking a significant defeat for centrist Prime Minister Donald Tusk, official results showed on Monday.
Nawrocki, who received backing from the previous governing Law and Justice (PiS) party, secured 50.9 per cent of the vote on Sunday, fuelling the momentum of right-wing populism in Europe. Former US President Donald Trump had endorsed Nawrocki ahead of the polls.
His opponent, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw, supported by Tusk’s party, garnered 49.1 per cent of the vote, narrowly losing in a fiercely contested runoff.
The election outcome has left Poland divided, setting the stage for a government split between two rival power centres.
An early exit poll on Sunday evening had indicated a lead for Trzaskowski, but subsequent counts reversed this trend.
Nawrocki succeeds Andrzej Duda, also aligned with the nationalist conservative PiS, whose term ends on August 6. Duda had blocked efforts by the coalition government to reverse PiS's judicial reforms introduced between 2015 and 2023, which had sparked conflict with the European Union over the rule of law.
Also read: Poland can defend itself for two weeks in war scenario
Tusk’s inability to fulfil key electoral promises, such as reforming abortion laws and enhancing LGBTQ rights protections, also contributed to the loss in the presidential runoff.
Analysts warn that these failures may undermine Tusk’s position ahead of the next parliamentary election, scheduled for late 2027.
Despite their political differences, both camps concur that Poland should continue providing weapons to Ukraine.
While the presidency does not control economic or government policies, which remain under Tusk’s cabinet, it retains veto power over legislation, giving it the capacity to stall the government’s legislative programme.
The current coalition, a fragile alliance of liberal, leftist, and conservative parties, holds a parliamentary majority but lacks the three-fifths required to override a presidential veto.
Follow us
