Karol Nawrocki clinched a razor-thin victory in Poland’s 2025 presidential election, defeating Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski with 50.89% of the vote to Trzaskowski’s 49.11% The result, confirmed by the National Electoral Commission, defied exit polls that had predicted a slight edge for Trzaskowski and left the nation deeply divided.
Nawrocki, a 42-year-old conservative historian and director of the Institute of National Remembrance, ran as an independent but was supported by the right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) His campaign emphasized nationalist policies, skepticism toward the European Union, and a focus on traditional values. The outcome is seen as a setback for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist, pro-EU government, which now faces the challenge of navigating a presidency with veto power over legislation.
The election saw high turnout at 71.6%, reflecting the polarized atmosphere and the high stakes for Poland’s future direction While both Nawrocki and Trzaskowski agreed on supporting Ukraine and strengthening national defense, they remain sharply divided on domestic issues such as judicial reforms and abortion laws.
Nawrocki’s win signals a shift toward more nationalist policies and is expected to complicate the government’s efforts to advance liberal reforms, setting up a period of political tension and uncertainty in Poland.
