Warsaw (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Nationalist Karol Nawrocki has been proclaimed the victor of the presidential election in Poland by the National Electoral Commission. After counting all of the ballots, the commission announced on Monday that Nawrocki, an opposition-supported conservative, had received 50.89 per cent of the vote in a close runoff against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who received 49.11 per cent, Reuters reported.
Supported by PiS, Nawrocki, a conservative historian and amateur boxer, had framed the vote as a referendum on Tusk’s 18-month-old administration.
How did the EU Commission president congratulate Nawrocki?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Nawrocki on his victory in Poland’s presidential election. In her official statement, von der Leyen expressed confidence that “very good cooperation” would continue between the European Union and Poland. She emphasized unity within the EU, stating:
“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.”
How close was the race between both candidates?
According to election commission data, Nawrocki received 50.89% of the vote, a victory for European conservatives who were influenced by US President Donald Trump. According to the figures, Nawrocki’s opponent, Rafal Trzaskowski, a liberal mayor of Warsaw running for Tusk’s ruling Civic Coalition (KO), received 49.11% of the vote. Following the release of an exit poll late on Sunday that indicated the outcome would be extremely close, both candidates instantly declared victory.
What will Nawrocki’s presidency mean for Tusk’s reforms?
This result portends further political stalemate as he is likely to use his presidential veto to block Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s liberal policy agenda. Current President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has obstructed Tusk’s government’s attempts to undo court changes implemented by the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government. Nawrocki is expected to follow this trend.
Like his predecessor Duda, Nawrocki is anticipated to thwart any efforts by the Tusk administration to reform the court or liberalize abortion. Due to its judicial changes, the EU sued the former PiS administration, claiming that they violated democratic norms and the rule of law.
Nawrocki, who formerly oversaw a national remembering institution, ran on a platform of guaranteeing that Polish nationals are given preference in economic and social measures, especially those of refugees from neighbouring Ukraine. He denounced what he claimed was excessive Brussels meddling in Polish matters and pledged to defend Poland’s sovereignty.
