Poland's presidential election: Trzaskowski fights against Nawrocki for power!

Poland's presidential election: Trzaskowski fights against Nawrocki for power!

Polen - Today, on May 18, 2025, a decisive presidential election takes place in Poland. The incumbent President Andrzej Duda does not have the opportunity to run again and instead supports PIS candidate Karol Nawrocki. Duda asked the voters to support Nawrocki while criticizing his political rival Donald Tusk for cynicism and hypocrisy at the same time. Nawrocki's election campaign is under the motto "Poland first", which underlines the national populist orientation of the PIS (law and justice). In surveys, however, the liberal candidate Rafał Trzaskowski from the opposition Citizens' Coalition (KO) is clearly ahead.

Trzaskowski, who lost in 2020 against Duda, campaigns for liberal values, including a rigid migration policy, the protection of minority rights and comprehensive reforms in the judiciary. With the aim of reducing the influence of the PIS, the Warsaw city president tries to approach voters in rural areas. This is considered crucial for his choice of choice.

candidates and their background

Karol Nawrocki is known as politically relatively unknown. Among other things, he was director of the Museum of World War II and is now criticized because he rejects the EU migration pact and demands priorities for Polish citizens in social benefits. The PIS supporter also has a controversial image, but also gained but also attention through his past as a boxer.

Rafał Trzaskowski, on the other hand, has already established itself as a presidential candidate and is supported by Tusk, the former prime minister. The citizen coalition, which Tusk is led, sees this choice a way to change the politics of the PIS, which was in power from 2015 to 2023 and conducted extensive changes in many areas of Poland.

Occupation and political relevance

A total of 13 candidates compete, but only the two main candidates, Nawrocki and Trzaskowski, have realistic chances for victory. The election outcome could possibly be decided in a runoff election on June 1st. According to the applicable election laws, a candidate must receive more than half of the votes to win. Otherwise there is a runoff election between the two best -placed candidates.

The choice is not only national, but also international importance. Poland's political course could change significantly, depending on who emerges as the new president. The new government, which took over power in 2023, does not have the majority to override Dudas Veto. Therefore, the choice could open up new possibilities or block the current course. The outcome of this choice is being pursued with tension because it has far -reaching consequences for the political landscape of Poland.