Petr Jedlička: The Polish election: either green for Tusk, or the rise of a more assertive Duda

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Polish presidential election analysis contrasts conservative Karol Nawrocki and liberal Rafał Trzaskowski’s impact on Tusk’s government.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

The upcoming second round of Polish presidential elections is seen as deciding whether a new head of state will support or obstruct the current Tusk government. While opinions on the center-left cabinet vary, observers agree that the current president, Andrzej Duda, has consistently hindered the Tusk government due to his powers in Poland’s semi-presidential system. Karol Nawrocki, supported by Law and Justice (PiS), is seen as a potential candidate who could continue this trend of obstruction, presenting himself as a conservative opposed to initiatives like the Green Deal. Conversely, Rafał Trzaskowski, the liberal Warsaw mayor, is viewed as the pro-government choice, with some media outlets suggesting he could form a “dream team” with Tusk and Foreign Minister Sikorski. Mobilization efforts are evident in street demonstrations. Politically, Nawrocki has an advantage in potentially attracting unexpected votes from the far-right, though his support base may not be as broad as suggested. Current polls favor Trzaskowski, but Nawrocki exceeded expectations in the first round and could surprise again on Sunday.


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