Poland organizes patriotic march ahead of presidential election runoff

Poland’s ruling party holds a "patriotic march" in Warsaw on Sunday, just days before the second round of the presidential elections.

Tens of thousands of people take to the streets of Warsaw on Sunday to show support for the two leading candidates in Poland’s upcoming presidential runoff, scheduled for June 1. The closely contested election is seen as pivotal for the country’s future direction, both domestically and within the European Union.

Supporters of Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, the candidate backed by the current government, gather at a central rally to boost momentum for his campaign. Trzaskowski, representing the centrist Civic Coalition, faces Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist candidate who has aligned himself with more conservative policies.

“All of Poland is looking at us. All of Europe is looking at us. The whole world is looking at us,” Trzaskowski tells the crowd, many of whom wave both Polish and EU flags. The march is also attended by Romanian President Nicușor Dan, who recently won his own election against a far-right challenger. Dan expresses interest in working with Poland’s current government on strengthening EU cooperation and supporting Ukraine.

Trzaskowski’s campaign is supported by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who came to power in 2023 with a coalition of centrist and left-wing parties, aiming to reverse judicial reforms introduced by the previous Law and Justice (PiS) administration. Those reforms have drawn criticism from EU institutions concerned about democratic standards and minority rights in Poland.

Despite Trzaskowski’s two-point lead in the first round on May 18, polls suggest a tight race in the runoff. Meanwhile, Nawrocki’s supporters also rally in Warsaw, emphasizing themes of sovereignty, patriotism, and closer ties with the United States.

“He is the best candidate, the most patriotic, one who can guarantee that Poland is independent and sovereign,” says Jan Sulanowski, 42, a Nawrocki supporter attending the event.

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