Presidential Election in Poland Remains Indecisive, According to Exit Polls
In the nail-biting 2025 Polish presidential run-off, the race remains up in the air with Karol Nawrocki edging out his opponent by a slim margin, according to exit polls. This tight contest is viewed as a bellwether for Poland's stance on pro-European Union values versus populist nationalism.
An Ipsos exit poll, conducted for broadcasters TVN, TVP, and Polsat on the day of the election, placed Nawrocki at 51 percent, with his rival, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, trailing behind at 49 percent. However, initial readings released after voting ended showed Nawrocki falling behind at 49.7 percent, while his opponent secured 50.3 percent. The official results were due to be announced on the following day.
Both candidates claimed victory in separate meetings with their supporters in Warsaw. Trzaskowski told his cheering crowd, "We won," while Nawrocki declared, "We will win and save Poland."
The Polish presidency wields significant influence, with the power to veto legislation. The vote attracted international attention, with Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the EU closely watching the outcome.
The presidential campaign has been marked by deep ideological divide, as the winner will either steer Poland towards a more nationalist path or push it towards liberal democratic norms. Nawrocki, a 42-year-old boxer and favored by US President Donald Trump, promotes traditional Polish values and is wary of the EU. Trzaskowski, 53, a jazz musician's son, has pledged to restore judicial independence, ease abortion restrictions, and foster constructive relationships with European partners.
Amid heightened security concerns over Russia's war on Ukraine, both candidates support aid to Kyiv. However, Nawrocki opposes NATO membership for neighboring Ukraine, while Trzaskowski supports it. Both have adopted a tough stance on immigration, stoking anti-Ukrainian sentiments among Poles who feel strained social services are being drained by the 1.55 million Ukrainian refugees and migrants residing in the country.
A Nawrocki victory could see Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban and Slovakia's Robert Fico gaining an ally in central Europe. His win could also lend momentum to the Czech Republic's eurosceptic opposition leader and former Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who tops the polls ahead of the October election.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed her support for Nawrocki during a speaking engagement in May, stating, "He needs to be the next president."
[1] Polish Presidential Election 2025: Karol Nawrocki triumphs in close contest[2] Polish Presidential Election 2020: Andrzej Duda secures victory against Rafal Trzaskowski
- The tight Polish presidential election of 2025, won by Karol Nawrocki, sparks intense debate over immigration policies and Europe's future as Nawrocki, a proponent of traditional values and skeptic of the EU, opposes NATO membership for Ukraine, aligning him with Hungary's Victor Orban and Slovakia's Robert Fico in central Europe.
- Amidst the breaking news of the 2025 Polish presidential election, the general public and politics enthusiasts offer diverse opinions on the implications of Nawrocki's victory, with some expressing concern over his stance on immigration and EU relations while others celebrate his commitment to Polish traditions and ties with Donald Trump.
- The 2025 Polish presidential election, with Nawrocki's victory, brings the issue of Ukrainian refugees and migrants in Poland under the spotlight, as both leading candidates had expressed tough stances on immigration during their campaigns, citing the strain on social services as a primary concern.
