On June 1, 2025, Poland held the second round of its presidential election, resulting in a narrow victory for Karol Nawrocki, a historian backed by the Law and Justice (PiS) party. Nawrocki secured 50.89% of the vote, defeating Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%, according to the National Electoral Commission. The first round on May 18 saw no candidate achieve a majority among 13 contenders, leading to the runoff. Nawrocki, an independent candidate supported by outgoing President Andrzej Duda and PiS, campaigned on strengthening Polish sovereignty and traditional values. His win is expected to influence Poland’s political landscape, particularly in relation to Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU coalition government. Nawrocki is set to be sworn in on August 6, 2025, for a five-year term. The election saw high voter engagement, with exit polls initially indicating a close race. Nawrocki’s presidency may shape Poland’s approach to EU policies and domestic reforms.
