Poland’s National Electoral Commission has declared Karol Nawrocki the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing 50.89% of the vote in a closely contested runoff against Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%.

The victory by Nawrocki, a nationalist and staunch conservative backed by the opposition, is expected to complicate Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist government, as the president-elect has pledged to use his veto power to block key reforms.

Nawrocki, a 42-year-old historian and amateur boxer, previously led Poland’s National Remembrance Institute. His campaign was built on populist promises, advocating for economic and social policies prioritizing Polish citizens over foreign nationals, including Ukrainian refugees.

The election result came after early exit polls suggested Trzaskowski was leading, but subsequent vote counts reversed the trend, solidifying Nawrocki’s win.

Nawrocki will succeed Andrzej Duda, who belongs to the nationalist Law & Justice (PiS) party and has been instrumental in blocking judicial reforms that led to Poland’s disputes with the European Union.

Nawrocki’s victory has been welcomed by right-wing political forces in Europe and the United States, particularly by the MAGA movement in the US. Former President Donald Trump hosted the Polish eurosceptic at the White House, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Poland in the final week of campaigning to offer support.

His stance on Ukraine, while opposing Russian aggression, has been critical of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of exploiting allies. Nawrocki has vowed to maintain support for Ukraine but has promised to prioritize Polish citizens for social services.

Tusk’s government has struggled to implement reforms on judicial independence, abortion rights, and LGBTQ protections, and analysts suggest that Nawrocki’s presidency may further hinder progress.

While European nationalist movements are celebrating, Poland’s political future remains uncertain as the new administration prepares to navigate a tense domestic and international landscape.

Source: Al Jazeera