Poland’s presidential election will proceed to a runoff after no candidate secured a majority in the first round. Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski led with 31.3% of the vote, while conservative historian Karol Nawrocki followed closely with 29.5%. The second round is scheduled for June 1.
Trzaskowski, a deputy leader of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist Civic Platform (PO) party, aims to liberalize Poland’s abortion laws and reform the judiciary. He told supporters in Sandomierz, “We’re going to win,” emphasizing the need for “great determination.”
Nawrocki, a non-partisan candidate supported by the right, has called on supporters of right-wing candidates Slawomir Mentzen and Grzegorz Braun to unite against Tusk’s coalition. He urged them to “save Poland” from Tusk’s influence.
With turnout over 67%, the election reflects a deeply divided electorate. The president holds veto power over legislation, and Tusk’s coalition lacks a sufficient majority to override such vetoes. A victory for Trzaskowski would align the presidency with the government, potentially easing legislative processes.
