Polish eurosceptic Nawrocki wins presidential vote, electoral commission says
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Nawrocki wins Polish presidential runoff
Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist opposition candidate, secured victory in Poland’s presidential election second round with 50.89% of the votes. His main rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw and an ally of the government led by Donald Tusk, garnered 49.11%.
The country’s electoral commission announced early Monday on its website.
Nawrocki’s main rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw and an ally of the government led by Donald Tusk, garnered 49.11% of the votes.
The 42-year-old Nawrocki, a eurosceptic historian and former head of Poland’s national remembrance institute, campaigned on a platform prioritizing economic and social policies that favour Polish citizens over other nationalities, including refugees from neighbouring Ukraine.
While the Polish parliament holds most governing powers, the presidency retains the ability to veto legislation, making the election outcome significant both domestically and internationally.
The vote was closely monitored by Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and European Union nations.
The electoral commission reported a record 71.31% voter turnout for the second round, reflecting high public engagement.
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Who is Poland’s next president Karol Nawrocki?
Conservative historian Karol Nawrocki won Poland’s presidential election with 50.89% of the votes. He cultivated a tough-guy image during his campaign, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and boxing rings. Unlike other eurosceptics in central Europe, such as Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico or Hungary’S Viktor Orban, he supports giving military aid to Ukraine. If elected, he will oppose membership in Western alliances for Ukraine, a position that seeks to chime with falling support for Ukrainians among Poles. He is likely to follow a similar path to outgoing President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally who has used his veto power to block the pro-EU government’s efforts to undo the previous PiS administration’s judicial reforms. The EU says the PiS reforms undermined the independence of the courts.
WARSAW (Reuters) -Karol Nawrocki, the conservative historian who won Poland’s presidential election, cultivated a tough-guy image during his campaign, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and boxing rings.
While his liberal opponent Rafal Trzaskowski played up his European credentials, Nawrocki met Donald Trump at the White House and received the U.S. president’s backing for his bid for Poland’s top job.
According to the final result from the electoral commission, Nawrocki won the election with 50.89% of the votes.
Unlike other eurosceptics in central Europe, such as Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico or Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Nawrocki supports giving military aid to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s three-year-old invasion.
But he has said that, if elected, he will oppose membership in Western alliances for Ukraine, a position that seeks to chime with falling support for Ukrainians among Poles, who have hosted more than a million refugees from across the border.
His backers in the Law and Justice (PiS) party had supported fast-tracking membership in the EU and NATO for Kyiv while in power until late 2023.
Nawrocki’s critics said he was fuelling unease over Ukrainian refugees at a time when the far-right is highlighting migration, the cost of living and security. He cited his campaign slogan, Poland First.
“Let’s help others, but let’s take care of our own citizens first,” he said on social media in April.
He is likely to follow a similar path to outgoing President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally who has used his veto power to block the pro-EU government’s efforts to undo the previous PiS administration’s judicial reforms. The EU says the PiS reforms undermined the independence of the courts.
THE FIGHT IN THE RIGHT
In the last two weeks, the candidates mostly fought for the support of people who voted for other candidates in the first round, in particular far-right’s Slawomir Mentzen who came third with 15% support.
Trzaskowski tried to attract them with promises of deregulation. Nawrocki touted his credentials as head of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), support for gun ownership, traditional families and Christian values, but also a critical tone on Ukraine, in sync with Mentzen’s.
His wife Marta, a civil servant, and three children featured strongly in his campaign.
Nawrocki’s past has been a topic of intense public debate following a series of negative media reports. There were questions over his acquisition of a flat from a pensioner and an admission that he took part in orchestrated brawls.
“All my sports activities were based on the strength of my heart, the strength of my muscles, my fists,” Nawrocki, an amateur boxer, told a debate when confronted over reports he had been involved in mass organised fights between football hooligans. “It was a fair competition, regardless of the form.”
His Law and Justice party backers have accused the government of orchestrating the controversies with the help of Poland’s special services and liberal media. The government rejects these accusations.
Nawrocki portrayed the election as a referendum on the government, which he described as a metropolitan elite out of touch with their concerns.
“I am simply one of you,” he told voters in the eastern town of Biala Podlaska while on the campaign trail.
(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Polish Nationalist Karol Nawrocki Secures Presidential Victory, Electoral Body Confirms
Karol Nawrocki, the nationalist opposition candidate, emerged victorious in the presidential election of Poland, with 50.89% of the vote. His rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal Warsaw mayor and an ally of the government led by Donald Tusk, got 49.11%. Turnout was 71.31%, the electoral commission said, a record for the second round of a presidential election. The election results highlight deep societal divisions within Poland. The president can veto legislation, and the vote was being watched closely in Ukraine as well as Russia, the United States and across the European Union.
Karol Nawrocki, the nationalist opposition candidate, emerged victorious in the presidential election of Poland, with 50.89% of the vote, the electoral commission announced early Monday. His win marks a setback for the reform plans of the pro-European administration.
His rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal Warsaw mayor and an ally of the government led by Donald Tusk, got 49.11%. An exit poll on Sunday had shown Trzaskowski winning with a razor-thin majority.
Nawrocki, 42, a eurosceptic historian who ran a national remembrance institute, campaigned on a promise to ensure economic and social policies favour Poles over other nationalities, including refugees from neighbouring Ukraine.
The election results highlight deep societal divisions within Poland, with Nawrocki drawing support from rural areas and older voters, while Trzaskowski was favoured in urban centers and among younger demographics.
Policy Implications
Nawrocki’s win is expected to have significant implications for Poland’s domestic and foreign policies.
The amateur boxer won despite his past dominating the last days of the presidential campaign – from questions over his acquisition of a flat from a pensioner to an admission that he took part in orchestrated brawls.
While Poland’s parliament holds most power, the president can veto legislation, and the vote was being watched closely in Ukraine as well as Russia, the United States and across the European Union.
Nawrocki, supported by the Law and Justice party (PiS), is expected to continue the policies of his predecessor, President Andrzej Duda, also an ally of the largest opposition party, including blocking any attempts by the government to liberalise abortion or reform the judiciary.
On social media platform X, Duda thanked Poles for going to vote in large numbers. Turnout was 71.31%, the electoral commission said, a record for the second round of a presidential election.
“Thank you! For participating in the presidential elections. For the turnout. For fulfilling your civic duty. For taking responsibility for Poland. Congratulations to the winner! Stay strong Poland!” Duda wrote.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Poland elections: Pro-Trump nationalist beats pro-EU rival in close-fought victory
Nawrocki, a historian and amateur boxer, campaigned on a promise to ensure economic and social policies favour Poles over other nationalities. He beat the liberal mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzaskowski, a key ally of Prime Minister Tusk. Nawrocki had been endorsed and championed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at last week’s Cpac conference.
Nawrocki, a historian and amateur boxer, campaigned on a promise to ensure economic and social policies favour Poles over other nationalities, including Ukrainian refugees.
He beat the liberal mayor of Warsaw Rafal Trzaskowski, a key ally of Prime Minister Tusk. Nawrocki had been endorsed and championed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at last week’s Cpac conference.
Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki, backed by the main opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party Reuters
Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki Reuters
Civic Coalition presidential candidate and Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski Reuters
Karol Nawrocki, backed by the main opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, gestures next to his family Reuters
Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki Reuters
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Nawrocki with his win and said she was convinced the bloc could continue its “very good cooperation” with Poland. She said: “We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy, and values. So let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home.” Czech Republic president Petr Pavel said on social media: “I congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his election as Polish President. I believe that under his leadership, Poland will continue to develop its democratic and pro-Western orientation and that our countries will continue mutually beneficial cooperation.” Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called the result a “fresh victory for (European) patriots”.
Nawrocki, backed by the main opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, gestures during his final rally Reuters
Polish eurosceptic Nawrocki wins presidential vote, electoral commission says
Polish nationalist opposition candidate Karol Nawrocki won the second round of the country’s presidential election with 50.89% of the votes. His rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal Warsaw mayor and an ally of the government led by Donald Tusk, got 49.11%. Turnout was 71.31%, the electoral commission said, a record for the secondround of a presidential election. The president can veto legislation, and the vote was being watched closely in Ukraine as well as Russia, the U.S. and across the European Union.
Item 1 of 6 Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki, backed by the main opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, reacts to the exit polls of the second round of the presidential election, in Warsaw, Poland, June 1, 2025. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
WARSAW, June 2 (Reuters) – Polish nationalist opposition candidate Karol Nawrocki won the second round of the country’s presidential election with 50.89% of the votes, the electoral commission said early on Monday, in a blow to the reform agenda of the pro-European government.
His rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal Warsaw mayor and an ally of the government led by Donald Tusk, got 49.11%. An exit poll on Sunday had shown Trzaskowski winning with a razor-thin majority.
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Nawrocki, 42, a eurosceptic historian who ran a national remembrance institute, campaigned on a promise to ensure economic and social policies favour Poles over other nationalities, including refugees from neighbouring Ukraine.
The amateur boxer won despite his past dominating the last days of the presidential campaign – from questions over his acquisition of a flat from a pensioner to an admission that he took part in orchestrated brawls.
While Poland’s parliament holds most power, the president can veto legislation, and the vote was being watched closely in Ukraine as well as Russia, the United States and across the European Union.
Nawrocki, supported by the Law and Justice party (PiS), is expected to continue the policies of his predecessor, President Andrzej Duda, also an ally of the largest opposition party, including blocking any attempts by the government to liberalise abortion or reform the judiciary.
On social media platform X, Duda thanked Poles for going to vote in large numbers. Turnout was 71.31%, the electoral commission said, a record for the second round of a presidential election.
“Thank you! For participating in the presidential elections. For the turnout. For fulfilling your civic duty. For taking responsibility for Poland. Congratulations to the winner! Stay strong Poland!” Duda wrote.
Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk and Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Kate Mayberry
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