Poland’s presidential election is currently at a very sensitive political inflection point. Exit polls indicate that the contest between the two top candidates, Rafał Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki, is too close to call. Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw and a close ally of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, emphasizes his commitment to reducing migration and addressing criticisms towards Brussels. Meanwhile, Nawrocki, a first-time politician and a historian, has garnered support from the Law and Justice (PiS) party and conservative circles, including attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Poland.
Rafał Trzaskowski, son of a celebrated Polish jazz musician, defends his Catholicism. Beyond that rhetoric, he runs an openly anti-EU campaign. He dreams of a Poland in which all enjoy freedom and the fruits of democratic society. Most of us think that these important ideals have been undermined by the last administration. If Trzaskowski is successful, he would certainly lay the groundwork for Tusk’s prospective government. Jointly, they would be able to act to undo the damage that PiS had caused.
Under Secretary for Leadership Karol Nawrocki, 42, has established a brand of inclusive leadership. He now directs the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk and holds a position in the Institute of National Remembrance, a state-supported research institution. His presidency might place minesfield traps in the path of the centrist administration. If so, this will only deepen challenges to move beyond the authoritarian legacy that has characterized the past few years in Poland. Nawrocki’s support from PiS illustrates a deep conservative support base that echoes Nawrocki’s dream of a more conservative country.
The tight race highlights a bitterly divided political climate in Poland, where voters are splitting almost entirely along ideological lines.
