Poland is holding the second round of its presidential election today, in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested votes in recent years.
The race features two candidates with starkly opposing visions for the country: liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, backed by the ruling coalition and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and conservative Karol Nawrocki, head of Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance, who is supported by the main opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) and incumbent President Andrzej Duda.
In the first round, Trzaskowski received 31.36% of the vote, while Nawrocki secured 29.54%. However, Nawrocki has since gained the backing of several right-wing candidates whose combined support totaled an additional 21.3%, potentially giving him a majority in the runoff.
Still, a direct transfer of votes is far from guaranteed, making voter turnout a critical factor. Trzaskowski’s supporters have launched a mobilization campaign, labeling Nawrocki “Poland’s Vyatrovych” — a reference to his controversial historical positions. They point to his critical remarks about Ukraine and his opposition to Kyiv’s NATO membership, the latter stated in a political agreement with Sławomir Mentzen, leader of the right-wing Confederation party.
With both candidates holding roughly equal chances, the contest is expected to be tight. The outcome will reveal which path Poland chooses — one of liberal, pro-European integration, or a turn toward national conservatism.
