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Poland has entered a new political chapter. Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist historian backed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, secured a narrow victory in the country's presidential runoff. The final tally, released early Monday by the National Electoral Commission, showed Nawrocki with 50.89% of the vote against liberal rival Rafal Trzaskowski's 49.11%.
This result defied earlier exit polls, which suggested Trzaskowski held a slim lead. The surprise win has delivered a blow to Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-European coalition, threatening to stall key reforms on judicial independence and civil rights.
Nawrocki, 42, is not a traditional career politician. A former director of Poland's Institute of National Remembrance and a self-described amateur boxer, he built his campaign on a staunchly nationalistic platform. "Poland must belong to Poles," he declared during a televised debate, underscoring his firm stance on immigration, particularly regarding Ukrainian refugees.
In the campaign's final days, Nawrocki faced scrutiny over his past. Media reports questioned how he acquired a Warsaw apartment from an elderly pensioner and examined his admitted involvement in organized street fights during his youth. Despite the controversies, his message resonated with a significant segment of the electorate.
The role of Poland's president, while largely ceremonial, holds critical legislative power through the ability to veto laws. This ensures that Nawrocki's win could obstruct government plans to liberalize abortion laws or push forward judiciary reforms long demanded by Brussels. "The presidency is the final gatekeeper," political analyst Tomasz Sawczuk told Gazeta Wyborcza. "Nawrocki now holds the key."
International observers watched the vote closely. In Kyiv, there are concerns that Nawrocki's rhetoric may harden Poland's approach toward Ukrainian refugees. Meanwhile, EU officials worry about renewed tensions between Warsaw and Brussels, especially if PiS regains greater institutional influence.
Turnout reached an all-time high for a second-round presidential election, with 71.31% of eligible voters casting ballots. Outgoing President Andrzej Duda, himself a PiS affiliate, praised the public's engagement. "Thank you for taking responsibility for Poland," he posted on X. "Congratulations to the winner. Stay strong, Poland!"
As the nation absorbs the implications of this outcome, many are left pondering the direction Poland will now take. Nawrocki's presidency signals not only a shift in tone but potentially a renewed standoff between nationalist values and pro-European reforms at the heart of Poland's political debate.
