Karol Nawrocki, an independent candidate backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, has been declared the winner of Poland’s presidential runoff election, narrowly defeating Rafal Trzaskowski, the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) candidate and current Mayor of Warsaw.
According to final results released early Monday by the Polish National Electoral Commission (PKW), Nawrocki secured 50.89% of the vote, while Trzaskowski garnered 49.11%.
The outcome defied pre-election polls and Sunday’s initial exit surveys, which had predicted a slim lead for Trzaskowski. The PKW confirmed Nawrocki’s win by marking him as “Elected in the second round” on its official website.
A historian born in Gdansk in 1983, Nawrocki currently serves as the head of Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance. This election marked his first-ever bid for the presidency. He will succeed outgoing President Andrzej Duda when Duda’s second and final term concludes on August 6.
Nawrocki’s win is expected to restore a conservative tilt to Poland’s presidency. Like his predecessor Duda, he is closely aligned with the nationalist PiS party and may challenge the liberal government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk through legislative vetoes and judicial interventions.
His victory was also bolstered by international support, including from former U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling potential shifts in both domestic and foreign policy under his leadership.