Poland's Karol Nawrocki assumes the presidency role
Poland's new President, Karol Nawrocki, will take the oath of office before the National Assembly, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. Known for his right-wing, nationalist political stance, Nawrocki is expected to bring about a change of course in Poland.
Nawrocki, a historian and political newcomer, is a firm advocate for sovereignty and security. He has expressed a clear anti-illegal migration stance, prioritizing security and sovereignty against what he perceives as threats from uncontrolled migration.
In his inaugural speech, Nawrocki declared himself as the voice of the citizens who want sovereignty and security. He also pledged to maintain the Polish zloty instead of adopting the euro, aligning with the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party's skepticism towards the EU’s common currency. Nawrocki also opposed the EU taking away powers from Poland not explicitly agreed upon in treaties.
Nawrocki supports a pro-Western and pro-NATO policy, promising Poland a leading role in NATO, especially regarding defense on the eastern flank against Russian aggression. Poland remains a significant political and military supporter of Ukraine, seen as directly linked to Polish security concerns.
The new President's stance is summarized as "No to illegal migration, yes to the Zloty, no to the Euro." He is also expected to initiate constitutional reforms aimed at bolstering Poland’s sovereignty by 2030.
Nawrocki's victory was a heavy political defeat for the pro-European government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army, he is expected to use his power in foreign policy. However, he will have a veto right to block initiatives of the pro-European government.
The right-wing nationalist party PiS, which ruled Poland from 2015 to 2023, backed Nawrocki during the campaign. His inaugural speech and campaign platform were described as "patriotic, pro-Christian, pro-NATO, pro-Western, and pro-Donald Trump," reflecting a right-wing conservative and nationalist worldview that seeks to strengthen Polish sovereignty both domestically and in foreign policy.
Sources: ntv.de, mbr/dpa/AFP.
[1] "Poland's new President Karol Nawrocki takes office with a right-wing, nationalist agenda." (Link) [2] "Poland's new President Karol Nawrocki promises constitutional reforms." (Link) [3] "Karol Nawrocki wins Polish presidential runoff election." (Link) [4] "Karol Nawrocki questions Poland's support for Ukraine during campaign." (Link)
The Commission might be asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the new President's focus on worker protection as well as his stance on upholding Polish sovereignty and opposing the EU taking away powers not explicitly agreed upon in treaties.
In the general news, the shift in Poland's political landscape following the election of Karol Nawrocki as President has led to discussions about the potential impacts on Poland's foreign policy, domestic policies, and how it will influence the European Union.
