Poland has elected Karol Nawrocki as its next president following a razor-thin runoff victory over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. Final results released Monday show Nawrocki securing 50.89% of the vote to Trzaskowski’s 49.11%. The win returns the presidency to the Law and Justice party, which lost parliamentary control in 2023.
Nawrocki, a 42-year-old historian and amateur boxer, was backed by President Trump, who hosted him at the White House in May. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also campaigned for Nawrocki at CPAC Warsaw, praising his hardline immigration stance and warning that Trzaskowski would weaken Poland’s borders.
Trzaskowski conceded Monday and congratulated Nawrocki, who will succeed outgoing President Andrzej Duda when his term ends August 6.
Supporters frequently waved American flags at Nawrocki’s rallies, reflecting hopes for closer alignment with the Trump administration. Noem hinted that military cooperation could expand under Nawrocki, with around 10,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in Poland.
On foreign policy, Nawrocki has pledged continued support for Ukraine but criticized President Zelenskyy and vowed to prioritize Polish citizens over refugees for social services. His nationalist message drew praise from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who called the outcome a “fantastic victory.”
