The contest could determine whether Poland pursues a more nationalist governing approach or moves towards liberal policies.
Citizens of Poland headed to the polls on June 1 for a presidential runoff election that could determine the nation’s political path forward and future relationship with the European Union.
Liberal pro-EU candidate and Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski is facing off against Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian of the right-wing Law and Justice Party.
The contest could determine whether Poland pursues a more nationalist governing approach or moves towards liberal policies.
Since conservative President Andrzej Duda is finishing his second and final term, Poland’s new president will have sway over the centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and will determine whether or not it can pursue its agenda, as the president has the power to veto laws.
Citizens began heading to the polls at 7 a.m. local time. After 9 p.m. when polls close, an Ipsos exit poll is expected to be released, and the final results reported on Monday.
Sunday’s runoff vote comes after a hotly contested first round on May 18. At the time, Trzaskowski led with just over 31 percent of the vote to Nawrocki’s nearly 30 percent. Eleven other candidates were eliminated.
The two candidates have contrasting views on governing policies. Trzaskowski, 53, has vowed to prioritize judicial independence, lessen abortion restrictions, and promote allegiances with the rest of Europe. Nawrocki, 42, has promised to pursue traditional Polish values and remains skeptical of the EU while supportive of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Nawrocki is a newcomer to politics, having no previous party membership before the Law and Justice Party approached him in an attempt to reenergize the organization after losing power in 2023 to a group led by Tusk.
He is currently the head of the Institute of National Remembrance, which investigates crimes committed by the Nazi and communist regimes. Nawrocki supports tightened border controls and increasing defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product. He is also against liberalizing abortion access and LGBT values. His slogan is, “Poland first, Poles first.”
By Jacob Burg
