Wafric News – May 16, 2025

Warsaw, Poland – Polish voters turned out on Sunday in a hotly contested presidential election that could reshape the political trajectory of the EU’s sixth-largest economy. With foreign policy, social rights, and national identity dominating the discourse, the election has laid bare deep ideological divisions in a country straddling Western liberal values and traditional conservative roots.

Polling stations opened at 7am local time (05:00 GMT) with 13 candidates vying for the presidency. However, the race has narrowed to two frontrunners: Rafal Trzaskowski, the pro-European mayor of Warsaw and a key ally of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian supported by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which was ousted from power in late 2023.

Initial exit polls will be released after voting ends at 9pm (19:00 GMT), while official results are expected Monday. With neither candidate likely to secure over 50% of the vote, a runoff slated for June 1 appears inevitable.

A Referendum on Poland’s Future

The election is widely viewed as a referendum on the direction of Poland’s democracy. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who reclaimed leadership last year after defeating the populist PiS, has sought to re-anchor Poland within the European Union mainstream after years of acrimony under PiS rule.

"The choice is between moving forward with Europe or slipping back into isolationism," one Warsaw voter told WafricNews.

The Polish presidency, while largely symbolic, wields significant influence in foreign affairs and has the power to veto legislation. This makes the outcome crucial for Tusk’s reform agenda and for Poland’s voice in NATO and the EU — especially amid heightened tensions along its border with war-torn Ukraine.

Trzaskowski, deputy leader of Tusk’s Civic Platform, has vowed to strengthen ties with EU institutions and NATO allies. “Our place is at the heart of Europe,” he declared in a televised interview on Friday.

Social Divides and a Scandal

Beyond geopolitics, social issues have also taken center stage. Trzaskowski has won backing from liberal voters for advocating LGBTQ rights and easing Poland’s strict abortion laws. His opponent, Nawrocki, has positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values, rallying conservative and rural voters.

“I hope for a Poland that respects all its citizens,” said Malgorzata Mikoszewska, a Warsaw resident, who told WafricNews she supports Trzaskowski’s progressive stance on personal freedoms.

Nawrocki’s campaign recently enjoyed a publicity boost following a high-profile visit with Donald Trump in Washington — a move seen by some as an effort to reinforce transatlantic ties outside of EU frameworks. However, the momentum was dented by a scandal involving his controversial purchase of a Gdansk apartment under questionable circumstances. Nawrocki has denied any wrongdoing.

Concerns Over Foreign Interference

Polish authorities have reported attempts at foreign meddling in the election, including cyberattacks targeting coalition party websites and allegations of foreign-funded political ads on social media. The rising threat of disinformation has added another layer of volatility to an already charged campaign.

“If Nawrocki wins, the government could face gridlock — and that might trigger broader instability,” said Anna Materska-Sosnowska, a political analyst, speaking to WafricNews. “It could mark the resurgence of populist politics in Poland.”

The new president will succeed Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally who has completed his maximum two terms.

As Poland stands at a political crossroads, the world is watching — and so are millions of Poles anxious about the future direction of their democracy.


By Wafric News Desk.