Conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki has narrowly won Poland’s presidential run-off election, according to final vote tallies reported by the media. Nawrocki secured 50.89% of the vote, edging out liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%.
The Associated Press confirmed the close contest on Monday, citing official data, with the Polish Electoral Commission announcing that all ballots had been fully counted. The commission also indicated that the official results would be formally published on Monday morning.
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At 42 years old, Nawrocki is a historian and former director of the National Remembrance Institute. His campaign emphasized economic and social priorities for Polish citizens and took a cautious approach toward accepting refugees from Ukraine. His conservative and eurosceptic positions appealed to many voters concerned about preserving national identity and sovereignty.
While legislative authority mainly rests with Poland’s parliament, the presidency holds significant influence through its power to veto laws.
The election attracted considerable international attention, especially from Ukraine and Russia due to Poland’s strategic geopolitical role, as well as from the United States and European Union countries.