Poland will vote for a new president on Sunday, pitting liberal mayor Rafal Trzaskowski against conservative historian Karol Nawrocki in a tight election with significant consequences for the country’s pro-EU government. Opinion polls suggest that both candidates are running neck and neck.
The presidential role is largely ceremonial but comes with considerable power, including the right to veto legislation. President Andrzej Duda cannot run for a third consecutive term, leaving his successor with the opportunity to shape Poland’s stance on issues like abortion, the rule of law, and European integration.
Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw, has vowed to cooperate with the government to address these issues, while Nawrocki has promised to prioritize traditional Catholic values and protect small farmers threatened by EU regulations. The conservative historian has gained support from far-right voters and prominent politicians like US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
However, both candidates have faced controversies, including allegations against Nawrocki of taking part in football hooligan brawls and having links to gangsters and neo-Nazis. Trzaskowski’s supporters have been more inclined to believe these claims, with one man holding a banner reading “No to the gangster.”
The election outcome will determine who becomes the next president and has the potential to impact Poland’s future relationship with Europe.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ln987g582o