Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.

Poles choose between pro-EU Trzaskowski and nationalist Nawrocki

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Jun 2025 18:33
4 Min Read

Poles vote in a tight 2025 presidential election that could steer Poland toward the EU mainstream or Trump-style nationalism.

Listen
  • x
  • Poland
    A man fills out his ballot papers at a polling station in Warsaw, Poland, on June 1, 2025, during the second round of the presidential elections (AFP)

Poland is holding a closely watched presidential election on Sunday that could shape the country’s trajectory on foreign policy, democratic governance, and national identity, Reuters reported.

The contest between Civic Coalition (KO) candidate Rafal Trzaskowski and nationalist-backed Karol Nawrocki is seen as a critical moment for Poland’s place in either the European Union mainstream or a path echoing Donald Trump-style nationalism.

Pre-election polls showed a razor-thin lead for Trzaskowski, but the race remained too close to call. Voting is set to conclude at 9 pm local time, with exit polls expected shortly after. The National Electoral Commission said it aimed to announce final results by Monday morning or early afternoon.

While executive power largely rests with the Polish parliament, the president retains veto authority, making the role significant in shaping legislation and foreign alliances. The vote is also being monitored closely by regional actors, including Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.

Read more: Poland allocates 5% of GDP for defense spending as Ukraine war resumes

Poland’s foreign policy at a crossroads

Foreign policy was a central issue in the 2025 election, with both candidates supporting increased defense spending and continued backing for Ukraine. However, their strategic visions differ sharply.

Trzaskowski advocates for strong ties with both Brussels and Washington, emphasizing Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership as crucial for Polish and regional security.

Nawrocki, in contrast, has warned that Ukraine’s NATO accession could provoke broader conflict with Russia and has said he would not ratify it as president.

Related News

Poland threatens to arrest Putin if he flies through its airspace

Drone display in UK parliament 'pathetic scene' by Israeli lobby: Iran

He has emphasized closer alignment with the United States, meeting with President Donald Trump in the White House earlier this year. Trzaskowski, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a pro-European moderate seeking to rebuild strained ties with EU institutions.

Read more: Polish president urges US to deploy nuclear weapons in Poland: FT

Trump-style nationalism vs pro-European centrism

The presidential runoff followed a first round on May 18, where far-right anti-establishment forces saw a notable rise. Nevertheless, the second round again featured candidates from the two dominant parties, KO and Law and Justice (PiS), signaling the continued influence of traditional political blocs despite growing public discontent.

Nawrocki has styled his campaign after Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, pledging to restore what he calls traditional Polish values and sovereignty. He has repeatedly accused KO of catering to urban elites, saying at a rally in Biala Podlaska, “They want to build a Poland for the elites.”

In contrast, Trzaskowski focused his message on hope, European integration, and civic unity. “Looking at this mobilisation, I see how much hope you have – hope in a future in which Poland plays a leading role in the European Union,” he told supporters in Ciechanów.

Voter turnout remains high in key cities

Turnout stood at 24.8% by noon, according to electoral commission head Sylwester Marciniak, nearly identical to the same point during the second round of the 2020 presidential vote, which eventually saw 68.2% participation. High turnout among young and urban voters could once again prove decisive.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who came to power in late 2023, is also facing his first major electoral test. Analysts note that Trzaskowski’s performance could reflect broader public approval or disapproval of the coalition government.

Social issues, identity politics define the divide

Beyond foreign policy, the two candidates diverge sharply on social issues. Trzaskowski supports liberal reforms, including the liberalization of abortion laws. Nawrocki, aligned with Poland’s Catholic conservative base, opposes such measures.

For many voters, the election was deeply personal. “The most important thing is foreign policy,” said Warsaw IT worker Robert Kepczynski, 53. “We can’t look both ways, to the US and the EU – and looking only to the US for help is short-sighted.”

Economist Maria Luczynska, 73, expressed emotion after casting her vote: “It’s important because this is how we decide our future. What country my daughter, my grandchildren will live in.”

Read more: US relocates troops in Poland, to halve troops in eastern Europe

  • Poland
  • Karol Nawrocki
  • Rafal Trzaskowski
  • EU
  • European Union

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS