According to the final vote count on Monday, Karol Nawrocki, a conservative, emerged victorious in Poland’s presidential runoff election that took place over the weekend. In a highly competitive contest against liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, Nawrocki secured 50.89% of the votes, while Trzaskowski received 49.11%.
The race had Poland on edge since the first round of voting two weeks prior, which exposed the country’s profound divisions along the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union.
Trzaskowski was initially projected to emerge victorious in an early exit poll that was released on Sunday evening. However, subsequent polling conducted a few hours later started to alter the outcome.
The result indicates that Poland’s new president, who received the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, is likely to pursue a more populist and nationalist course.
On Monday, Trzaskowski acknowledged his defeat and extended his congratulations to Nawrocki, expressing gratitude to all those who supported him. He wrote on X, “I fought for us to build a strong, safe, honest, and empathetic Poland together.” “I regret that I was unable to persuade the majority of citizens of my vision for Poland.” I regret that we were unable to achieve a mutual victory.
From various perspectives, congratulations.
On Monday morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the leaders who extended their congratulations to Nawrocki. This gesture was a recognition of Poland’s significant role as a neighbor, ally, and the distribution point for Western armaments that were sent to Kyiv.
He referred to Poland as “a pillar of regional and European security” and stated that by bolstering one another on our continent, we provide Europe with a greater advantage in global competition and bring the realization of a genuine and enduring peace closer. I anticipate ongoing productive collaboration with Poland and with President Nawrocki in particular.
Nawrocki’s “fantastic victory” was praised by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is a national conservative and shares Nawrocki’s perspective.
In the interim, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen extended a measured congratulations, underscoring the ongoing EU-Poland collaboration that is founded on shared democratic values: “We are all more powerful together in our community of peace, democracy, and values.” Therefore, let us collaborate to guarantee the security and prosperity of our shared home.
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