Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian and eurosceptic, has won Poland's presidency with 50.89% of the vote, promoting a nationalist platform, military aid to Ukraine, and a strongman image that resonated with right-wing voters.
Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian and newly elected president of Poland, shaped a rugged public image during his campaign, sharing footage of himself boxing and practicing at shooting ranges.
While his opponent, liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, highlighted his pro-European stance, Nawrocki aligned himself with U.S. President Donald Trump, even meeting him at the White House and securing his endorsement.
According to official results, Nawrocki secured 50.89% of the vote to win the presidency.
Unlike other eurosceptic leaders in the region such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán or Slovakia’s Robert Fico—Nawrocki supports sending military aid to Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. However, he opposes Ukraine’s potential NATO and EU membership, a stance that reflects declining public support in Poland for Ukrainian refugees, who number over a million in the country.
Although the Law and Justice (PiS) party previously advocated fast-tracking Ukraine’s Western integration, Nawrocki now strikes a more cautious tone, campaigning on a "Poland First" message. "Let’s help others, but our priority must be our own citizens", he stated in April.
He is expected to continue the approach of outgoing President Andrzej Duda, also a PiS ally, particularly by using his veto power to resist the pro-European government's attempts to reverse PiS-era judicial reforms—changes the EU has criticized as undermining judicial independence.
Right-Wing Competition
In the final stages of the race, both candidates competed for voters who had backed far-right candidate Slawomir Mentzen in the first round, where he gained 15% support. Trzaskowski pitched deregulation efforts, while Nawrocki emphasized his leadership of the Institute of National Remembrance, his support for gun rights, Christian values, traditional family structures, and his more skeptical stance on Ukraine—echoing many of Mentzen’s views.
Nawrocki’s wife Marta and their three children were prominently featured in his campaign materials.
However, his past drew scrutiny. Reports emerged about how he acquired an apartment from an elderly person and his admission of involvement in staged group fights. When confronted in a debate, Nawrocki—an amateur boxer—responded that his involvement in such brawls was "fair competition" based on physical strength and passion for sport.
His PiS allies accused the government and liberal media of orchestrating these controversies with assistance from national intelligence services—allegations the current administration denies.
Throughout his campaign, Nawrocki framed the election as a decision between ordinary citizens and the country’s elite leadership, telling voters in Biala Podlaska, "I am simply one of you".
As world leaders gather in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, the organisation faces wars, displacement, climate pressures and deepening ge...
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
Nearly 130,000 people have been forced from their homes in Yemen in recent weeks as fighting intensifies along the country’s west coast, acco...
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes military action against Tehran.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
As world leaders gather in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, the organisation faces wars, displacement, climate pressures and deepening geopolitical divisions.
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is under preliminary investigation in France over a suspected conflict of interest linked to the 2024 sale of Ligue 1 broadcasting rights.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
Russian parliamentary elections have delivered a comfortable win to the ruling United Russia party, which is closely aligned to President Vladimir Putin. With more than 95 per cent of ballots counted, United Russia has taken 57.83 per cent of the vote, up from the 49.8 per cent it won in 2021.
A powerful typhoon was approaching Japan’s Pacific coast on Monday, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and a heightened risk of landslides across the Kanto region, including Tokyo, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment