Poland Votes For A New President As Security Concerns Loom Large

Poles in Poland are participating in a presidential election on Sunday, amid heightened security concerns due to the war in Ukraine and fears that the U.S. commitment to European security may be weakening under President Donald Trump. The leading contenders are Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, supported by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the Law and Justice party. Trzaskowski holds around 30% support in recent polls, while Nawrocki is in the mid-20s, setting the stage for a likely runoff on June 1. The election also serves as a test for other political forces, including the far right, with Sławomir Mentzen, a hard-right candidate, polling in third place. With a crowded field of ten other candidates, a second round appears inevitable due to the requirement of securing over 50% of the vote to win outright.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 9 p.m., with exit polls expected at the close of voting and official results by Tuesday, possibly Monday. Reports of foreign interference during the campaign have surfaced, including cyberattacks and allegations of foreign funding for political ads on social media. While domestic policy is primarily under the authority of the prime minister and parliament, the presidency holds significant power in areas such as defense, foreign policy, and legislation veto rights. The current president, Andrzej Duda, has used these powers to counter Tusk’s agenda, but a Trzaskowski victory could lead to policy changes, with promises of reforms to courts and media. Voters like Monika Laskowska-Dzierbicka believe Trzaskowski could bridge divides and work towards unity.

Nawrocki, emphasizing conservative values and national sovereignty, has garnered support from voters like 88-year-old Jerzy Iwiński, who sees him as a patriot. Meanwhile, Irena Kuczyńska, 79, supports Nawrocki due to his alignment with traditional family values.