Right-wing conservative Nawrocki wins presidential election in Poland!

Right-wing conservative Nawrocki wins presidential election in Poland!

In the runoff election for the presidency in Poland, which took place on June 2, 2025, Karol Nawrocki, a non-party historian, won with 50.9 percent of the vote. His liberal challenger, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, received 49.1 percent. Both candidates were optimistic after polls closed, and voter turnout reached a record 71.63 percent. In total, around 29 million people were eligible to vote, as Bietigheimer Zeitung reported.

Nawrocki, who is supported by the right-wing nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, prevailed over Trzaskowski by a margin of 370,000 votes. In the first round of voting, Trzaskowski received 31.4 percent of the vote, while Nawrocki received 29.5 percent. The incumbent head of state Andrzej Duda was unable to run again after two terms in office.

Controversial history of Nawrocki

Karol Nawrocki combines both support and considerable controversy. He is accused of connections to neo-Nazis and involvement in hooligan brawls. These allegations raise questions about his suitability for the highest office in the land. Under his presidency, it is also unclear how Poland will stand on current geopolitical issues such as support for Ukraine and EU and NATO accession. Nawrocki has a critical stance towards the euro and rejects many EU decisions, which could put additional strain on his relationship with the European Union, as the Süddeutsche Zeitung highlights.

While Nawrocki's victory is seen by his supporters as a necessary change, the new president and his controversial past contrast with the liberal approach advocated by Trzaskowski and the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. In a political climate characterized by tensions between conservative and liberal forces, Nawrocki's presidency is being followed with great interest.