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Voters in Poland head to the polls for a decisive second round presidential election

Voters in Poland are deciding the president in a critical runoff, which could determine the country's domestic political path and its relationship with the European Union.

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Decision time for Poland as they cast ballots in a pivotal presidential runoff, potentially shaping...
Decision time for Poland as they cast ballots in a pivotal presidential runoff, potentially shaping the country's political trajectory and ties with the European Union.

Voters in Poland head to the polls for a decisive second round presidential election

Vote Day in Poland: A Decisive Battle for the Nation's Future

Warßen, Poland - Today's presidential runoff is a pivotal moment for Poland, shaping the nation's political trajectory and relations with the European Union. The contest pits Warsaw Mayor, liberal pro-EU figure Rafał Trzaskowski, against conservative historian, Karol Nawrocki - backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party.

The election's outcome will chart whether Poland embarks on a more nationalist course or pivots more decisively towards liberal democratic norms. With conservative President Andrzej Duda completing his tenure, the new president will have considerable sway over the fate of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government, given the presidential power to veto laws.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and will shut at 9 p.m., with an Ipsos exit poll expected at 1900 GMT, and final results likely announced on Monday. The runoff follows a fiercely contested first round on May 18, in which Trzaskowski garnered just over 31%, and Nawrocki nearly 30%, eliminating 11 other candidates.

Katarzyna Malek, a 29-year-old voter in Warsaw, cast her ballot for a left-wing candidate in the first round but opted for Trzaskowski on Sunday. She expressed hope for less division and more dialogue in the nation, "I want there to be more unity, perhaps more dialog," she shared.

The campaign has shed light on profound ideological differences. Trzaskowski, 53, has pledged to restore judicial independence, ease abortion restrictions, and promote constructive ties with European partners. In contrast, Nawrocki, 42, has positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values, skeptical of the EU and aligned with American conservatives, including President Donald Trump.

Nawrocki's candidacy has been ensnared by allegations of past connections to criminal figures and participation in a violent street battle. He denies the criminal links but acknowledges involvement in "noble" fights. These allegations have not seemed to deter his right-wing voter base, who see these charges as politically motivated.

Some of those voting for Nawrocki in Warsaw dismissed these allegations, arguing that he should not be punished for his past, and that Trzaskowski has also made mistakes as mayor. Władysława Wąsowska, an 82-year-old former history teacher, expressed her allegiance to the right-wing conservative cause, stating, " I am a right-wing conservative. I love God, church, and homeland." She views Nawrocki as the only patriotic choice, accusing Trzaskowski of servitude to foreign interests.

As tensions rise amid security fears over Russia's war in neighboring Ukraine, both candidates support aid to Kyiv, although Nawrocki opposes NATO membership for Ukraine, while Trzaskowski supports it in the future.

Nawrocki's campaign has resonated with themes popular on the American right, including an emphasis on traditional values. His supporters fear that Trzaskowski, with his pro-EU views, would cede control of key Polish affairs to larger European powers like France and Germany. Many European centrists, however, are hoping for Trzaskowski's victory, seeing him as a defender of democratic values under pressure from authoritarian forces worldwide.

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