Photo: Robert Neumann/Forum
The first round of the presidential election has started in Poland, and the struggle between the liberal candidate of the government coalition, Rafał Trzaskowski, and the conservative Karol Nawrocki of the opposition Law and Justice party is heating up. The stakes are high not only within the country but also in the European context.
According to the polls, Tshaskovsky is leading by a small margin – 28-29% against Navrotsky’s 24-25%. However, the lead is shrinking, and the second round, scheduled for 1 June, could be decisive. The third favourite is the far-right Slavomir Mencen, who is known for his anti-European rhetoric.
The elections are a key test for Donald Tusk’s pro-European government, which came to power in 2023 with promises to reverse judicial reforms introduced by his PiS predecessors and expand the rights of women and minorities. But President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, is still blocking some of the reforms with his veto power.
Candidates and positions:
- Trzaskowski advocates raising defence spending to 5% of GDP, expanding women’s rights, liberalising abortion and strengthening Poland’s role in the EU.
- Navrotskyi promises tax cuts, the abandonment of the Green Deal and a tough migration policy. He criticises excessive aid to Ukrainian refugees, although he declares his support for Ukraine in the war with Russia.
- Mencen, a far-right candidate, advocates tax minimalism, a complete withdrawal from European initiatives and anti-immigration policies.
International resonance and the Romanian factor:
The campaign was not limited to Poland. The leader of the Romanian far-right party AUR, Gheorghe Simion, appeared at Navrotsky’s rally, saying: “It’s time to fight against neo-Marxism and the Green Deal”. In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote: “Russia is celebrating – Navrotsky and his pro-Russian Romanian friend on stage before the election”. Later, Tusk also recorded an appeal to Romanians, urging them to vote for democracy.
The Ukrainian context:
While Poland remains an important ally of Ukraine, the rhetoric of some candidates, including Nawrocki, has become sceptical of refugee support and critical of excessive humanitarian aid. Nawrocki’s slogan, “Poland for Poles”, appeals to an electorate tired of war and crises.
Abortion and migration issues:
Poland has one of the strictest abortion bans in Europe. Trzaskowski promises to ease the law, while Nawrocki is committed to maintaining the restrictions. Against the backdrop of protests and changes in society, this issue could be decisive for many voters. All candidates are also taking a tougher stance on migration in response to public sentiment.
Elections in numbers:
- Voting will last from 7:00 to 21:00 (local time).
- Almost 29 million people have the right to vote.
- The first exit polls will be released immediately after the polls close.
