Nawrocki wins Polish presidential election in blow to pro-EU gov.
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Nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki narrowly won Poland’s presidential election, defeating pro-EU Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski in a tight runoff that could reshape the country’s EU relations.
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Presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki greets supporters as he arrives at his headquarters after the presidential election runoff in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP)
Nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki won the Polish presidential election, official results showed on Monday, marking a setback for the country's pro-European Union government. The 42-year-old, known for his admiration of US President Donald Trump, secured 50.89% of the vote in Sunday’s runoff.
His rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, the 53-year-old pro-EU mayor of Warsaw, received 49.11%, according to the national election commission. Voter turnout stood at 71.63%.
Outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who had endorsed Nawrocki, congratulated him via X, saying, "Congratulations to the winner!"
The tightly contested runoff followed a tense night in which both candidates initially claimed victory, based on exit polls that showed them in a dead heat.
At his election night rally in Warsaw, Nawrocki told supporters, "We will win and we will save Poland."
Nawrocki’s victory is expected to block reforms championed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. With veto power over legislation and limited foreign policy influence, the presidency holds significant power, especially in a government lacking a three-fifths majority to override vetoes.
Implications for EU relations and Ukrainian ties
Nawrocki's win could escalate tensions with Brussels over the rule of law and undermine ties with Ukraine. He has been critical of Kiev’s EU and NATO accession attempts, and has proposed cutting support for Ukrainian refugees residing in Poland.
During his campaign, Nawrocki visited the White House and claimed Trump asserted that he would win.
He also received public backing from US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who said, "he needs to be the next president."
Nawrocki’s base strongly supports national sovereignty, stricter immigration policies, and conservative social values. Many of his voters identify closely with Catholic traditions.
While the role of president is largely symbolic in some European nations, in Poland it carries the ability to veto legislation, a power Nawrocki is expected to use to halt the government's reform agenda. Previous efforts by Prime Minister Tusk to introduce liberal reforms have already faced obstacles due to the conservative presidency.
Political scientist Anna Materska-Sosnowska of the University of Warsaw described the vote as "a real clash of civilisations."
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