Voters in Poland returned to the ballot box on Sunday for the second round of the country’s presidential runoff, with the outcome expected to shape the political direction of the nation and its relationship with the European Union.
The runoff sees Rafał Trzaskowski, the Mayor of Warsaw and a liberal pro-European figure, facing off against Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party.
With President Andrzej Duda concluding his second and final term, the result will be critical in determining whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist government can advance its legislative agenda. Poland’s president holds the authority to veto laws, making the role particularly influential under the current political configuration.
Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 9pm local time. An exit poll by Ipsos is expected shortly after voting ends, but official results may not be confirmed until Monday. The runoff follows a closely contested first round on 18 May, in which Trzaskowski secured just over 31 per cent of the vote and Nawrocki nearly 30 per cent, eliminating the remaining 11 candidates.
Runoff highlights divisions over national values and EU relations
The campaign has underlined significant ideological divisions. Trzaskowski, 53, has pledged to strengthen judicial independence, relax abortion laws, and foster closer cooperation with EU partners. Nawrocki, 42, has framed his campaign around traditional Polish values, a more cautious stance towards the EU, and support for conservative policies similar to those seen in the United States.
Nawrocki’s messaging has mirrored that of American conservative movements, particularly in promoting cultural and national identity. His supporters have voiced concern that a Trzaskowski presidency would lead to greater influence from larger EU member states such as France and Germany.
In light of ongoing security concerns linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine, both candidates have expressed support for continued assistance to Kyiv. However, their positions differ on NATO membership for Ukraine, with Trzaskowski supporting future accession and Nawrocki opposed to the idea.
