Polish Nationalist Wins Elections

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

WARSAW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The liberal, pro-European Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski has admitted defeat in Poland’s presidential runoff following a bruising night that started with him declaring a victory based on an exit poll but ended with him bitterly disappointed after his nationalist opponent Karol Nawrocki won the election.

Final figures showed on Monday that Nawrocki, a conservative historian and former amateur boxer, won Sunday’s election with 50.89% of the vote, ahead of his rival, Trzaskowski, an ally of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who secured 49.11%.

“Congratulations to President @NawrockiKn on his fantastic victory,” Hungary’s self-declared illiberal Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote on social media, adding that he was “looking forward to working” with the 42-year-old, who has never held elected office.

France’s National Rally leader, Marine Le Pen, seen as far-right by critics, called Nawrocki’s win “good news” marking a “disavowal of the Brussels oligarchy” trying to impose its “authoritarian policies and federalist ambitions … in defiance of the democratic will”.

With results confirming his rival’s victory, Trzaskowski, 53, told voters: “Thank you for trusting in me and for your vote on Sunday. I am sorry I could not persuade the majority of citizens to my vision of Poland. I am sorry we didn’t win together.”

Yet Trzaskowski, the son of a prominent jazz musician, added: “I congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his win in the presidential election. This victory comes with great responsibility, especially in such challenging times. Especially with such a close result. Please keep that in mind. Thank you for everything. See you!”

COMPLICATING WORK

The outcome will significantly complicate Tusk’s government’s work. While the presidential role is largely ceremonial, it does have some influence over foreign and defense policy and the critical power to veto new legislation.

A veto can only be overturned with a 60 percent majority in parliament, which Tusk’s government lacks.

Unlike Tusk’s favored candidate, Nawrocki does not support Ukraine’s membership in the NATO military alliance.

His presidency was also due to complicate Poland’s support for Ukraine in staving off Russia’s ongoing invasion of the country.

Additionally, tensions are expected between Poland and the European Union.

The race was also closely watched in the United States, where Nawrocki received political backing from President Donald J. Trump.

POPULIST PARTY

In Poland, the 42-year-old Nawrocki is endorsed by the populist-right-wing Law and Justice party that governed the country between 2015 and 2023.

His campaign was overshadowed by allegations of wrongdoing, including questions over his acquisition of an apartment from an older man and his admission that he participated in an organized fight between 140 soccer hooligans in his youth.

Yet the pro-western Trzaskowski faced allegations about foreign funding for online advertising promoting his candidacy.

Additionally, he had to defend himself against suggestions that he was out-of-touch and an elitist while backed by the unpopular Tusk government.

That battle he lost at the ballot box.

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