Rafal Trzaskowski vs Karol Nawrocki: Eurosceptic nationalist elected Poland president in tight election | EUROtoday

Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by Donald Trump, has received Poland’s tightly fought presidential election in opposition to centrist candidate Rafal Trzaskowski.

Polish voters solid their ballots on Sunday in a tightly fought race, the results of which was anticipated to form the nation’s political future and its relations with the EU.

Mr Nawrocki, 42, a Eurosceptic nationalist, received 50.89 per cent of the votes solid whereas Mr Trzaskowski, a liberal Warsaw mayor, received 49.11 per cent after the ultimate rely, in response to Onet.

Mr Nawrocki, a historian and beginner boxer who ran a nationwide remembrance institute, campaigned on a promise to make sure financial and social insurance policies favouring Poles over different nationalities, together with refugees from neighbouring Ukraine.

Overnight projections after the polling confirmed Mr Nawrocki main Mr Trzaskowski by a fraction of a share level.

However, the race was too near name as two of the three exit polls confirmed Mr Trzaskowski main forward of Mr Nawrocki.

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As votes have been nonetheless being counted, a set of preliminary outcomes combining exit polls and counted ballots at 1am native time on Monday confirmed Mr Nawrocki forward with 50.7 per cent of the vote over Trzaskowski with 49.3 per cent.

Locked in a near-dead warmth, each candidates claimed victory in conferences with their supporters in Warsaw earlier than the consequence was out.

“We won,” Mr Trzaskowski informed his supporters. “This is truly a special moment in Poland’s history. I am convinced that it will allow us to move forward and focus on the future. I will be your president.”

Mr Nawrocki, speaking to his supporters at a separate event in Warsaw, said he believed he was on track for victory. “We’ll win and save Poland,” he said. “We must win tonight.”

A victory for Mr Trzaskowski, a liberal pro-EU politician, was set to strengthen prime minister Donald Tusk’s pro-European agenda and help curb the rise of the far-right across Europe.

In contrast, Mr Nawrocki’s win was expected to threaten the stability of Mr Tusk’s coalition and deepen rifts between Poland and its EU neighbours.

Mr Nawrocki, 42, aligned with US conservatives, including US president Trump, was backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party.

Last month, Mr Trump invited Mr Nawrocki to the Oval office and US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem had urged Poles to elect him, saying he had the capability of working together with Mr Trump.

“He needs to be the next president of Poland,” Ms Noem mentioned.

While the Polish presidency is basically ceremonial with restricted sway over international coverage and defence, the president enjoys veto energy over laws – a major verify on prime minister Tusk’s pro-EU coalition which lacks the parliamentary majority wanted to override it.

The vote on Sunday was a runoff between the 2 highest vote winners within the first spherical of the election on 18 May when Mr Trzaskowski held a lead, however marginally.

Mr Trzaskowski had received simply over 31 per cent and Mr Nawrocki almost 30 per cent, eliminating 11 different candidates.

From 2015 to 2023, Poland was dominated by the nationalist Law and Justice get together, which curbed abortion rights and expanded state management over the media.

Though a centrist coalition led by Mr Tusk got here to energy in 2023, president Andrzej Duda – a conservative ally of Law and Justice – remained in workplace, enabling him to dam a lot of Tusk’s agenda.

Mr Duda’s time period ends this summer time and the race to succeed him is broadly seen as a referendum on Mr Tusk, whose recognition is waning amid challenges in pushing by key reforms.

The election attracted widespread worldwide consideration because it was being held in Ukraine’s neighbourhood the place Russia’s conflict raised safety fears.

While candidates assist help to Kyiv, Mr Nawrocki opposes Nato membership for Ukraine whereas Mr Trzaskowski helps it sooner or later.

Mr Nawrocki’s marketing campaign drew on themes widespread among the many American proper, notably a give attention to conventional values. His supporters worry Mr Trzaskowski’s pro-EU place may cede an excessive amount of management over Polish affairs to European powers like France and Germany.

Many European centrists had rallied behind Mr Trzaskowski, viewing him as a defender of democratic values at a time once they have been underneath risk from rising authoritarianism worldwide.