Centrist candidate Rafal Trzaskowski led the first round of Poland’s presidential election on Sunday, edging ahead of nationalist rival Karol Nawrocki and setting up a high-stakes runoff that will determine whether Poland stays on a pro-European course or shifts toward a more nationalist path
Rafal Trzaskowski of Poland’s centrist Civic Coalition (KO) narrowly led the first round of the country’s presidential election on Sunday, according to an Ipsos exit poll, setting the stage for a tight runoff that could shape Poland’s future direction in Europe.
Trzaskowski garnered 30.8% of the vote, just ahead of Karol Nawrocki, the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party’s candidate, who received 29.1%. If confirmed by official results, both candidates will face off in a decisive second round on June 1.
The outcome will determine whether Poland continues along the pro-European path supported by Prime Minister Donald Tusk or leans further toward nationalist policies favored by supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“We’re aiming for victory. I said it would be close — and it is,” Trzaskowski told supporters, urging continued determination ahead of the runoff.
Nawrocki also expressed optimism, telling his backers he was confident of winning in the second round.
Poland’s president holds the power to veto legislation. A Trzaskowski win would give Tusk’s government the support needed to roll back judicial reforms pushed by PiS, which critics say weakened judicial independence. A Nawrocki presidency, however, would likely extend the political deadlock that has persisted since Tusk took office in 2023, due to outgoing President Andrzej Duda’s consistent opposition to government reforms.
With the top two candidates advancing, other first-round contenders — including far-right Confederation’s Slawomir Mentzen, centre-right Poland 2050’s Szymon Hołownia, and the Left’s Magdalena Biejat — will be eliminated.
Updated polls based on partial results are expected later Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Türkiye’s first domestically produced electric SUV, the Togg T10X, is expected to hit the German market by the end of 2025, German daily Bild repor...
Syria is set to boost its daily electricity supply from around four hours to nearly ten, as natural gas from Azerbaijan begins flowing through a newly...
Three Indigenous First Nations in Saskatchewan are receiving a combined CAD$431 million (US$313 million) in compensation from the Canadian government,...
The United States has warned of reported attempts to bribe Haitian officials in a bid to destabilise the country, amid growing political turmoil and g...
A federal jury in Miami has found Tesla partially liable for a fatal crash involving its Autopilot system, ordering the company to pay $243 million in...
Türkiye’s first domestically produced electric SUV, the Togg T10X, is expected to hit the German market by the end of 2025, German daily Bild reported.
Syria is set to boost its daily electricity supply from around four hours to nearly ten, as natural gas from Azerbaijan begins flowing through a newly restored pipeline via Türkiye, according to a senior official from the Syrian Ministry of Energy.
Three Indigenous First Nations in Saskatchewan are receiving a combined CAD$431 million (US$313 million) in compensation from the Canadian government, marking one of the largest settlements to date over historic breaches of treaty commitments.
The United States has warned of reported attempts to bribe Haitian officials in a bid to destabilise the country, amid growing political turmoil and gang violence.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
Syria is set to boost its daily electricity supply from around four hours to nearly ten, as natural gas from Azerbaijan begins flowing through a newly restored pipeline via Türkiye, according to a senior official from the Syrian Ministry of Energy.
Three Indigenous First Nations in Saskatchewan are receiving a combined CAD$431 million (US$313 million) in compensation from the Canadian government, marking one of the largest settlements to date over historic breaches of treaty commitments.
The United States has warned of reported attempts to bribe Haitian officials in a bid to destabilise the country, amid growing political turmoil and gang violence.
A federal jury in Miami has found Tesla partially liable for a fatal crash involving its Autopilot system, ordering the company to pay $243 million in damages.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he heard that India has stopped buying oil from Russia, describing it as a “good step” — though he admitted the information is unconfirmed.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment