WARSAW, Poland — Poles are voting Sunday in a presidential election at a time of heightened security concerns stemming from the ongoing war in neighboring Ukraine and growing worry that the U.S. commitment to Europe’s security could be weakening under President Donald Trump.
Recent opinion polls show Trzaskowski with around 30% support and Nawrocki in the mid-20s.
The president serves as commander of the armed forces, plays a role in foreign and security policy, and can veto legislation.
He has pledged to support reforms to the courts and public media, both of which critics say were politicized under Law and Justice.
Nawrocki, who leads a state historical institute, has positioned himself as a defender of conservative values and national sovereignty.
WARSAW, Poland — At a time when security concerns are at an all-time high due to the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine and mounting anxiety that the U.S. S. Under President Donald Trump, there may be a decline in dedication to the security of Europe.
The leading candidates are Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian with no political experience who is backed by the national conservative Law and Justice party, and Rafał Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw and a liberal ally of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
According to recent opinion polls, Nawrocki has support in the mid-20s and Trzaskowski has about 30%. It is generally anticipated that a second round between the two will occur on June 1.
Other forces, such as the far right, are also being tested in this election.
Currently in third place is Sławomir Mentzen, a hard-right candidate who combines libertarian economics, populist MAGA rhetoric, and a critical stance toward the European Union.
There are ten additional candidates on the ballot. A second round appeared to be almost inevitable due to the crowded field and the requirement that a candidate receive more than 50% of the vote in order to win overall.
By 7 a.m., polling places were open. m. (0500GMT) and end at 9 p.m. M. (1900 GMT). When voting is over, exit polls will be made public, and the results should be available by Tuesday or even Monday.
Attempts at foreign meddling during the campaign have been documented by Polish authorities, including Friday denial-of-service attacks against Tusk’s coalition parties and claims made by a state research institute that foreign funds were used to fund political advertisements on Facebook.
The presidency has significant power, but domestic policy is primarily the responsibility of Poland’s prime minister and parliament. The president can veto laws, participate in foreign and security policy, and lead the armed forces.
For more than a year, Andrzej Duda, the conservative outgoing president, has frequently used that authority to thwart Tusk’s plans. For instance, he has blocked ambassadorial nominations and used his veto power to prevent the reversal of media and judicial reforms implemented during Law and Justice’s tenure in office from 2015 to late 2023.
Such a standoff might be expected to end with a Trzaskowski victory. He has promised to back legislative and media reforms, which detractors claim were politicized under Law and Justice. According to Tusk’s detractors, he has also politicized the media.
Nawrocki has positioned himself as a supporter of conservative principles and national sovereignty, and he is the head of a state historical institute.
