Choice of fate in Poland: Trzaskowski or Nawrocki - who wins?

Choice of fate in Poland: Trzaskowski or Nawrocki - who wins?

Warschau, Polen - On May 21, 2025, the presidential elections are due in Poland, which are considered directional to the future political orientation of the country. The outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who has held office for ten years, no longer competes. The main candidates are the liberal Rafał Trzaskowski and the right -wing nationalist Karol Nawrocki.

Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw, currently leads approval in the surveys with around 32.5%, while Nawrocki, supported by the national conservative party PIS, is around 25%. The choice has the potential to significantly influence the relationships of Poland to the European Union and Germany, with Trzaskowski advocating closer cooperation with the EU, while Nawrocki emphasizes national interests, including a criticism of EU migration and asylum policy.

background of the candidates

Rafał Trzaskowski, 53 years old, is a doctorate in political scientists and studied at universities in Warsaw, Oxford and Paris. He speaks five foreign languages ​​and is committed to women and LGBT rights. He also supports the legalization of abortions up to the twelfth week of pregnancy. His political program aims to strengthen German-Polish relations.

KAROL NAWROCKI, 42 years old and director of the Institute for National National, is called the "candidate for citizens". Under his campaign issues, there are demands for war repairs of Germany and stricter border controls. Nawrocki recently met Donald Trump, which raises questions about the possible influence on the Polish elections.

election campaign and influencing factors

Overall, political science analyzes expect up to 13 candidates for whom voters had to collect more than 100,000 signatures. The outcome of the election could not only change the balance of power in the country, but also influence cooperation with the EU. Experts also warn of possible Russian influence, especially about social media.

The election is also considered a referendum on the new government coalition under Donald Tusk, which was sworn in on December 13, 2023. A victory of Trzaskowski could lead to reforms in the judiciary and an overall pro-European policy, while Nawrocki's victory could be a continuation of the previous blockade policy.

voter behavior and mobilization

The election outcome will also depend on voter mobilization. In cities like Słubice, the residents fear that political decisions could have negative consequences for their daily life, with up to 17,000 border crossings take place every day. Trzaskowski plans to lift border controls to Germany, while Nawrocki prefers a different direction.

The choice has the potential to significantly influence the future development of Poland. If no one reaches the required majority of 50% in the first ballot, a runoff election on June 1, 2025 could be necessary to determine a clear winner. [OP-online] reports of a turnout that is forecast between 62% and 87%, which indicates the relevance of this choice for the Polish population.

Overall, the upcoming election campaign not only shows how Poland could develop in the coming years, but also what role it wants to take on within the European Union and in international relationships. [rbb24] and [BPB] illuminate how crucial the choice is for political identity and the economic perspectives of Poland.