Poland’s presidential election results confirmed nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki’s victory on Monday, marking a significant setback for the country’s pro-EU administration. The 42-year-old Trump admirer secured 50.89% of votes in Sunday’s runoff against Warsaw’s EU-friendly mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who garnered 49.11%.
Outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who endorsed Nawrocki, congratulated the winner on social media, praising the 71.63% voter turnout. The election night saw dramatic moments as both candidates initially claimed victory when exit polls showed a dead heat.
Nawrocki’s triumph threatens to derail the government’s progressive reforms on abortion and LGBTQ rights while potentially reigniting conflicts with Brussels over democratic standards. “We will save Poland,” the president-elect declared to cheering supporters in Warsaw.