Warsaw, Poland – Poland has chosen Karol Nawrockia conservative and nationalist historian, as its next president in a Vote that points a resurgence of right populism In the heart of Europe.
Nawrocki is expected to assume the position on August 6, say the country’s national and foreign policy so that he can tighten bonds with Brussels while aligning the central Europe nation of almost 38 million people more closely with the administration of President Donald Trump in the United States.
Here are some key conclusions:
Nawrocki’s victory underlines the lasting attractiveness of nationalist rhetoric between approximately half of the country along the Eastern NATO flank and the European Union, and its deep social divisions.
The 42 -year -old historian who had no previous political experience built his campaign on patriotic issues, traditional Catholic values and a vote of defending Poland’s sovereignty against the EU and the largest European nations such as Germany.
His victory also reflects the attractiveness of right -wing nationalism in Europe, where concerns about migration, national sovereignty and cultural identity have led to growing support to the part of the right, including the extreme right in recent times.
The extreme right -wing candidates did very well in the first voting round of Poland two weeks before, underlining the appeal of nationalist and conservative opinions. Nawrocki picked up many of those votes.
While their supporters celebrate their victory, those who voted for the defeated liberal candidate, the mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzawski, care that he accelerates the erosion of liberal democratic norms.
Nawrocki’s presidency presents a direct challenge to Prime Minister Donald tuskWho returned to power at the end of 2023 committing to repair the relations with the EU and restore the judicial independence that Brussels said it was eroded by law and justice, the party that backed Nawocki.
But the coalition of Tusk, a fragile alliance of centrist, leftist and agricultural conservatives, has struggled to overcome the key promises that include a civil union law for same -sex couples and a less restrictive abortion law.
Nawrocki, who opposes such measures, will have the power to veto the legislation, complicating the Tusk agenda and potentially triggering political stagnation.
Nawrocki’s choice could indicate a stronger relationship between Poland and the Trump administration.
Poland and the United States are close allies, and there are 10,000 US troops parked in Poland, but Tusk and its partners in the past have criticized Trump. Nawroocki, however, has a worldview closely aligned with Trump and its creation of ETOS of Make America Great Again.
Trump welcomed Nawroocki to the White House a month ago and his administration made clear in other ways that It was his favorite candidate.
While Nawrocki has expressed Support for the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggressionIt does not support Ukrainian membership in NATO and has questioned long -term help costs, particularly refugee support.
His rhetoric has sometimes echoed Trump’s, for example, accusing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy What he said was insufficient gratitude for the help of Poland. With growth Public fatigue about helping Ukrainian refugeesNawrocki’s approach could change the posture of Poland of strong ally to conditional couple if the war crawls much longer.
The result of the choice is a setback for the EU, which had welcomed the return of Tusk in 2023 as a sign of renewed pro -European commitment.
Nawrocki and the Law of the Law and Justice have criticized what the nationalists consider that the EU is overreach in the national affairs of Poland, especially with respect to judicial reforms and the migration policy.
While the president does not control everyday diplomacy, the symbolic and veto powers of Nawrocki could frustrate Brussels efforts to re -align with block standards, particularly in matters of a general rule.
Although an EU member, Poland has its own currency, the Zloty, which weakened slightly on Monday morning, reflecting investors’ concerns about the instability of potential policies and renewed tensions with the EU institutions.
Millions of euros in EU funds have been related to judicial reforms that are now unlikely that the Tusk government promulgates without presidential cooperation.
