Nawrocki’s win pivots poland towards nationalism casts doubt on tusk govt

Nawrocki’s win pivots poland towards nationalism casts doubt on tusk govt

Trump-backed conservative won 50.89% of the vote against Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%; PM says he is prepared to work with Nawrocki if the willingness is there; the race reveals deep divisions in the country along the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union.

Conservative Karol Nawrocki’s victory in Poland’s weekend presidential run-off has set the country on a more nationalist course — and cast doubt on the viability of the centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk after the defeat of his liberal ally.

Mr. Nawrocki, who was supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, won 50.89% of votes in a very tight race against Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%, according to the final results of Sunday’s run-off published on Monday morning.

By evening, Mr. Tusk said he would ask parliament to hold a vote of confidence in his coalition government, a fragile multi-party alliance that includes left-wingers, centrists and agrarian conservatives.

Difficult time for PM

Mr. Tusk’s government exists separately from the presidency, but the President holds the power to veto laws, and Mr. Nawrocki’s win will make it extremely difficult for Mr. Tusk to press his pro-European agenda. The race revealed deep divisions in the country along the eastern flank of NATO and the EU.

The result leaves Mr. Tusk politically wounded, and there are questions about whether his coalition can survive to the end of its term in late 2027. There were already calls on Monday from political opponents for him to step down.

Mr. Tusk said in a video posted to social media that there’s a lot of work for the government to do, and its first test would be the vote of confidence held in “the near future.” If Mr. Tusk survives the confidence vote, it would show he still has a mandate to govern.

He also said he was prepared to work with Mr. Nawrocki if the willingness is there.

“I want everyone to see — including our opponents, at home and abroad — that we are ready for this situation, that we understand the gravity of the moment, and that we do not intend to back down, not even a step,” he said.

In his first public comments since his win was announced, Mr. Nawrocki thanked those who voted for him and said he would work for the causes that matter to them.

“We want to live in a safe country with a strong economy, one that cares for the most vulnerable. A country that matters in international, European, and transatlantic relations. A country that cherishes its centuries-old traditions and respects its history,” he wrote on social media.

Mr. Nawrocki’s supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Those who oppose secular trends, including LGBTQ+ visibility, have embraced him, viewing him as a reflection of the values they grew up with.

Most day-to-day power in the Polish political system rests with a Prime Minister chosen by parliament. However, the President’s role isn’t merely ceremonial. The office also holds the power to influence foreign policy.

Mr. Nawrocki will succeed Andrzej Duda, a conservative whose second and final term ends on August 6.

Mr. Trzaskowskiconceded defeat and congratulated Mr. Nawrocki. “I fought for us to build a strong, safe, honest, and empathetic Poland together,” he wrote on social media. “I am sorry I was not able to convince the majority of citizens of my vision for Poland.”

Leaders hail victory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the leaders offering congratulations to Mr. Nawrocki.

Mr. Trump exulted in Mr. Nawrocki’s victory. “Congratulations, Poland, you picked a WINNER!” he said on Truth Social.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also congratulated Mr. Nawrocki, saying, “The Polish people have spoken and support a stronger military and securing their borders. Poland is a model Ally and a key contributor to strengthening the NATO Alliance and its sovereign integrity against today’s challenges and those ahead.”

Mr. Nawrocki supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion, but he is more critical of Mr. Zelenskyy than Polish leaders to date, and he opposes NATO membership for Kyiv.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who shares Mr. Nawrocki’s national conservative worldview, hailed Mr. Nawrocki’s “fantastic victory.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered measured congratulations: “We are all stronger together in our community of peace, democracy, and values. So let us work to ensure the security and prosperity of our common home.”

Mr. Nawrocki, a 42-year-old amateur boxer and historian, was tapped by the Law and Justice party as part of its push for a fresh start.

The party governed Poland from 2015 to 2023, when it lost power to Mr. Tusk’s centrist coalition. Some political observers predicted it would never make a comeback, and Mr. Nawrocki was chosen as a new face who would not be burned by the scandals of the party’s rule. The election outcome vindicated party leader Jarosław Kaczyński’s strategy, but on Monday, many were also blaming the increasingly unpopular Mr. Tusk and Mr. Trzaskowski.

Mr. Nawrocki has most recently been the head of the Institute of National Remembrance, which embraces nationalist historical narratives. He led efforts to topple monuments to the Soviet Red Army in Poland, and Russia responded by putting him on a wanted list, according to reports.