Conservative Karol Nawrockihas won the second round of the presidential elections in Poland by a narrow margin, with 50.89% of the votes compared to 49.11% for the progressive centrist and mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski.
This close victory represents a major blow to the pro-European centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and foreshadows a period of political deadlock. Nawrocki, backed by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, is a 42-year-old historian and newcomer to politics.
His triumph strengthens conservative and Euroskeptic forces in Central Europe and is seen as a symbolic success for conservatives aligned with President Donald Trump.
Nawrocki se impuso con el 50,89% de los votos
Although the president in Poland has a mostly ceremonial role, he holds key powers such as legislative veto. The current government of Tuskdoesn't have a sufficient parliamentary majority to override those vetoes, so many of its reforms, including the liberalization of abortion, the legalization of civil unions, and judicial reform, are at risk.
The outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, also aligned with PiS, had already blocked numerous initiatives from Tusk's government, and Nawrocki is expected to take an even tougher stance.
During the campaign, Nawrocki framed the election as a referendum on Tusk's government, and his victory has revitalized PiS after losing power 18 months ago.
Nawrocki venció al alcalde de Varsovia, Rafal Trzaskowski
In contrast, Trzaskowski acknowledged his defeat with a conciliatory message, although neither candidate showed any intention of building bridges toward the other political sector. Voter turnout was 71.31%, a record for a presidential runoff, reflecting the country's high polarization.
Nawrocki has pledged to defend Polish sovereignty against excessive interference from Brussels, opposing both the EU's "Green Deal" and any further transfer of powers to the Union.
He also rejects legal abortion, the recognition of same-sex unions, and irregular immigration. Although he supports military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, he doubts that its accession to the EU or NATO would benefit Polish security in the current context.
La victoria de Nawrocki representa un duro golpe a la coalición del primer ministro Tusk
His victory has been celebrated by conservative leaders in the region, such as Viktor Orbán in Hungary and Andrej Babis in the Czech Republic, and could have broader repercussions in European politics. From the opposite side, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her confidence in maintaining a "good cooperation" with Poland.
The governing coalition led by Tusk, which includes everyone from moderate conservatives to the left, is already facing internal tensions on issues such as abortion. This climate of confrontation could open space for emerging political forces, such as the right-wing Confederation, whose candidate Slawomir Mentzen finished third in the first round. For now, its leaders rule out an alliance with PiS, but both parties compete for the same electorate.
