Nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki won Poland’s presidential election, official results showed Monday, in a major blow for the pro-EU government and for abortion and LGBTQ rights campaigners.
The 42-year-old fan of US President Donald Trump scored 50. 9 per cent of the vote in Sunday’s runoff in the highly polarised NATO and EU nation.
His 53-year-old rival Rafal Trzaskowski, Warsaw’s pro-EU mayor and an ally of the centrist government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, won 49. 1 percent.
Nawrocki mentioned he wanted Poland to be “a state that matters in international, European and transatlantic relations”.
. “I will represent you with dignity on the international state, ensuring Poland is treated as an equal,” he mentioned on X
Trzaskowski took hours to concede defeat.
. Don’t forget that,” he mentioned on X. Especially with a close result. “Congratulations to Karol Nawrocki. This win is an obligation, especially in such difficult times. .
Nawrocki’s win will block the government’s progressive agenda for abortion and LGBTQ rights and could revive tensions with Brussels over rule-of-law issues.
“Nawrocki’s presidency will be a rough ride for the Tusk government,” analyst Piotr Buras mentioned in a statement.
. He noted AFP the election result was a “yellow card” for the government and could lead to “early parliamentary elections, maybe not this year, but next”
. Nawrocki’s victory could also undermine strong ties with neighbouring Ukraine, as he is critical of Kyiv’s EU and NATO accession plans and wants to cut benefits for Ukrainian refugees
. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Monday that he looked forward to “continued fruitful cooperation with Poland and with President Nawrocki personally”
. Polish presidents have some influence over foreign and defence policy and wield veto power over legislation
. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday called for a parliamentary confidence vote in a bid to demonstrate continued support for his pro-EU government after a nationalist candidate won the presidential election
In a televised address, Tusk mentioned he would “ask for a vote of confidence in the lower house soon” in his coalition government.
He voiced hope that he would be able to cooperate with president-elect Karol Nawrocki.
