Conservative Historian Karol Nawrocki Wins Polish Presidential Election

In a stunning political upset that has sent shockwaves across Europe, Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian, has been declared the new president of Poland after a fiercely contested election. The Polish state electoral commission, PKW, confirmed that Nawrocki won 50.9% of the votes, narrowly defeating his liberal rival, Rafal Trzaskowski, the Mayor of Warsaw, who secured 49.1%. This razor-thin margin has made the election one of the most dramatic in recent Polish history.

The tension was high on Sunday night as the first exit poll had shown Trzaskowski leading with 50.3%, while Nawrocki trailed with 49.7%.

Trzaskowski was quick to address his supporters, announcing, “We won, although the phrase ‘razor’s edge’ will forever enter the Polish language and politics.” His wife, Malgorzata, added with a nervous laugh, “I’m close to having a heart attack.”

 However, Nawrocki urged patience, telling his supporters,

 “Let’s not lose hope for this night. We will win during the night, the difference is minimal. I believe that we will wake up tomorrow with President Karol Nawrocki.”

 By Monday morning, his words had come true, shaking up the political landscape in Poland and beyond.

Nawrocki’s win is a huge boost for the conservative opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), which lost power about eighteen months ago. Many PiS supporters are celebrating, seeing this victory as proof that their movement remains strong.

Political observers believe this result will “re-energise the PiS base and give them renewed hope for the 2027 parliamentary elections.”

Known for his “strong Catholic values” and support for “traditional family values,” Nawrocki has promised to “defend Polish sovereignty” and “protect the country from unwanted EU influence.”

 He has made it clear that he will use his presidential powers to “block Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU agenda,” a move that could stall many of the government’s planned reforms.

As one analyst put it, “Tusk’s coalition government does not have enough seats in parliament to override a presidential veto, so Nawrocki’s role will be very powerful.”

On foreign policy, Nawrocki has stated that he “supports continued assistance to Ukraine,” but he does “not want to see Ukraine joining NATO or the EU while Russia’s aggression continues.”

 He is also a strong critic of the European Union’s climate and migration policies, insisting that “Poland should not cede any more powers to Brussels.”

 His campaign message, “standing up for ordinary Poles and defending national interests,” has resonated with many voters, especially those who feel left out by the country’s rapid changes.

However, Nawrocki’s campaign was not without controversy. During a televised debate, he claimed, “I, like most Poles, own one apartment.” It later emerged that he had acquired a second apartment from a pensioner at a discounted rate in exchange for promises of care.

This revelation sparked public outrage, with critics accusing him of “taking advantage of a vulnerable senior citizen and failing to fulfil his promises.” In response, Nawrocki announced, “I will donate the council flat to charity,” and insisted that he had not neglected his responsibilities.

Outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who could not run for re-election after serving two terms, congratulated Nawrocki,

saying, “It was a difficult, sometimes painful but incredibly courageous fight for Poland, for how the affairs of our homeland are to be conducted. Thank you for this heroic fight until the last minute of the campaign!”

 Both Nawrocki and Trzaskowski have voiced support for helping Ukraine, but they have very different ideas about Poland’s relationship with the European Union. Trzaskowski, a former Europe minister, wants “Poland at the heart of the European mainstream, influencing decisions through strong relations with Germany and France.”

Nawrocki, on the other hand, insists on “a strong, sovereign Poland that does not give up more powers to Brussels.”

At just 42 years old, Nawrocki was relatively unknown nationally before being picked by PiS as their candidate. He is also known for his love of boxing and football, often sharing photos of his workouts online.

During the campaign, he travelled to Washington for a brief meeting with former US President Donald Trump, proudly sharing a photo of the two together in the Oval Office. Many saw this as a signal of his admiration for Trump’s style of leadership.

As Nawrocki prepares to take office, many in Poland and across Europe are watching closely to see how he will use his powers. While the Polish presidency is largely ceremonial, the ability to “veto legislation” gives Nawrocki significant influence, especially with a divided parliament.

His victory signals a new chapter in Poland’s ongoing struggle between conservative and liberal forces, and it is clear that, as one supporter put it, “the political drama in the country is far from over.”

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