Poland votes in tight presidential election between pro-EU candidate and nationalist rival
Voters in Poland have been casting their ballots in the country's presidential election - with the outcome believed to be on a knife-edge.
Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who is a liberal pro-EU candidate, is battling conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, who draws inspiration from Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
The vote is being closely watched in neighbouring Ukraine as well as in Russia, the European Union and the United States.
The result will mean Poland either cements its place in the EU's mainstream or takes a more nationalist path like MAGA.
Mr Trzaskowski, from the ruling centrists Civic Coalition (KO), has a narrow lead in the opinion polls over Mr Nawrocki, who is backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS). But the lead is within the margin of error.
How do the candidates differ?
Mr Trzaskowski has said strong ties with both Brussels and Washington DC are vital for his country's security, but Mr Nawrocki, who met President Trump in the White House in May, puts relations with the US first.
Both candidates agree that Poland has to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion that started in February 2022.
But while Mr Trzaskowski sees Ukraine's future NATO membership as key for Poland's security, his election opponent recently said he would not ratify it as president, as this could draw the alliance into a war with Russia.
Mr Trzaskowski, 53, has vowed to restore judicial independence, ease abortion restrictions, introduce civil partnerships for LGBT couples, and promote better ties with European partners.
Mr Nawrocki, 42, has positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values, sceptical of the EU and aligned with US conservatives.
His supporters believe Mr Trzaskowski, with his pro-EU views, would hand over control of key Polish affairs to larger European powers like France and Germany.
What happened in the first round?
The run-off follows a tightly contested first round on 18 May, in which Mr Trzaskowski won just over 31% while Mr Nawrocki got almost 30%, as 11 other candidates were knocked out.
With conservative President Andrzej Duda completing his second and final term, the new president will have significant influence over whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government can carry out its agenda.
Parliament holds most of the power in Poland - but the president can veto laws.
The polls are due to close at 9pm local time (8pm UK time), with exit polls coming out soon after.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Trump slams 'third rate reporter' who said president hates Harvard because he was rejected by Ivy League school
Donald Trump became the latest member of The First Family to refute claims made by 'third rate reporter' Michael Wolff theorizing why the president is taking on Harvard University. First Lady Melania took the rare step of issuing a public denial to the 'completely false' rumor that Barron had been denied entry to the school, leading the president to go all in on his war on the Ivy League institution. She insisted through her communications director Nicholas Clemens that 'any assertion that he, or that anyone on his behalf, applied is completely false.' On Thursday, however, Wolff made the assertion that President Trump himself 'didn't get into Harvard,' therefor forming a lifelong grudge. He told The Daily Beast Podcast: 'So one of the Trump things is always holding a grudge against the Ivy Leagues.' Trump - who attended University of Pennsylvania 's Wharton School of Business - took to Truth Social to continue his long-running feud with Wolff and refute the claims. 'Michael Wolff, a Third Rate Reporter, who is laughed at even by the scoundrels of the Fake News, recently stated that the only reason I'm 'beating up' on Harvard, is because I applied there, and didn't get in. That story is totally FALSE, I never applied to Harvard,' Trump said. Trump then added that he graduated from Pennsylvania, itself an Ivy League school, and took another couple of whacks at the author. 'He is upset because his book about me was a total 'BOMB.' Nobody wanted it, because his 'reporting' and reputation is so bad!' The White House - which has previously referred to Wolff as a 'lying sack of s***' - also trashed the claims. 'The Daily Beast and Michael Wolff have lots in common—they both peddle fake news for clickbait in a hopeless attempt to amount to something more than lying losers,' White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said. 'The President didn't need to apply to an overrated, corrupt institution like Harvard to become a successful businessman and the most transformative President in history.' Wolff previously spread gossip President Trump had set his sights on destroying the prestigious university because his 19-year-old son was rejected from the school. 'That exists because I reported that was the joke within the White House,' he said about Melania's statement. Three weeks ago, Wolff took to Instagram to share the 'joke going around the White House this week.' 'What do all the universities Trump is targeting have in common?' he asked. 'Barron didn't get into them.' Trump took to Truth Social to continue his long-running feud with Wolff - who has written several books alleging insider information about the Trump White House - and refute the claims Barron is a freshman at NYU's lauded Stern Business School, and Trump has repeatedly said his son was accepted to several colleges but had his heart set on NYU. Wolff admitted that he wasn't sure if the rumor had any validity, but that hasn't stopped it from spreading like wildfire within the White House. 'I don't know if there is any truth to this, there very well might be, but within the White House, that is the joke,' he said. 'Because they're like, "What is he doing?" This is, you know, this is crazy stuff,' Wolff said about Trump's rage at the Ivy league school. '"Why would this be happening?" And then they tell the Barron joke.' Harvard has a notoriously high rejection rate with about 96% of applicants being told no. The revelation comes as Trump continues his tirade against Harvard by banning the attendance of foreign students. He also canceled the federal government's remaining contracts, which are worth about $100 million. When President Trump launched his first broadside against Harvard in April, canceling a massive round of federal funding after the university wouldn't bow to his demands, the internet was rife with speculation he was angry because his son wasn't admitted. 'Did Trump target Harvard because the university rejected Barron?,' read several posts on social media. Even a Democratic senator stoked the fires of speculation with a tweet on the matter. It's the latest salve in a long-running feud between Trump and Wolff, an author best known for his tell-all about the Trump administration, Fire and Fury. Wolff has written a new book chronicling the 2024 Trump campaign. Some of the more salacious passages include Trump seeing Elon Musk jumping up and down at his Pennsylvania rally and reportedly asking: 'What the f*** is wrong with this guy? And why doesn't his shirt fit?' Wolff also accuses Trump of engaging with conspiracy theories about Michelle Obama's gender; praising O.J. Simpson's 'Dream Team' of lawyers and profanely insulting his own. Despite White House Communications Director Steven Cheung already slamming Wolff as a 'lying sack of s***' Trump responded himself in a lengthy post on Truth Social Sunday night. 'So-called ''Author'' Michael Wolff's new book is a total FAKE JOB, just like the other JUNK he wrote,' he said, referring to his three previous books about Trump. Trump claims that he 'never called [Wolff] back' despite his attempts 'many times trying to set up a meeting' because he didn't want to give him any credibility. 'Others in the Administration were also called, they reported his calls, and likewise, did not talk to him,' he added. Trump believes he may have been able to speak 'to a small number of people, but not meaningfully' for the new book. 'His other books about me have been discredited, as this one will be also. I am one who believes in commenting about FAKE NEWS, or made up stories, even if you have to ''punch low,'' and shouldn't be wasting the time required to do so,' he said. Trump then went on to count his various recent victories, saying he'd had the greatest election and 'perhaps the greatest first month EVER.' He added that Wolff only wants to discuss negative and, in Trump's words, false things about him and his administration. 'He mentions the people that surrounded me during the Election, and in many cases now, in derogatory terms, but they couldn't have been that bad because here I am in the White House, refusing to take his calls,' Trump said. Trump accuses Wolff of faking his sources and that if they are real, 'let them be revealed.' The president concluded: 'Watch, it will never happen. He is FAKE NEWS, a total LOSER, and no one should waste their time or money in buying this boring and obviously fictitious book!'
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Trade Secretary to push for timeline on US tariff exemption
Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump announced the broad terms of an agreement last month that would exempt the UK from some of the US president's tariffs on steel and cars while increasing market access for other goods. The Prime Minister hailed the announcement as a major achievement, saying the UK was the first nation to reach such an agreement with Mr Trump. But the details are still being worked out ahead of a formal deal, and the Government hopes for an agreement within weeks. Mr Reynolds is expected to discuss implementing the deal during talks with US trade representative Jamieson Greer in Paris on Tuesday, where he is attending a meeting of the OECD. That meeting comes amid uncertainty about the future of Mr Trump's tariffs after a US court last week ruled many of them unlawful, before an appeals court reinstated the levies pending a further hearing. Last week also saw Mr Trump announce that he would double tariffs on steel to 50%, starting on Wednesday, and it remains unclear how the UK would be affected. Mr Reynolds's visit to Paris is part of a three-day trip, during which he is expected to meet other trade ministers and attend a G7 ministerial meeting before heading to Brussels for meetings with his EU counterparts. During the trip, the Trade Secretary will argue that the UK is a dependable partner in an era of increasing global volatility. He said: 'Our deals with the US, EU and India are proof that the UK is the most connected country in the world to do business. Along with our modern industrial strategy, our Plan for Change is making the UK a safe, stable bet in uncertain times. 'We recognise our relationship with G7 allies and EU counterparts must continue to evolve and deliver a better trading environment for our businesses and exporters. 'That's why we want to wipe away costly, business-blocking barriers and open up opportunities to grow our economy, create jobs and put more money in people's pockets.' Andrew Griffith, Conservative shadow business secretary, said: 'Labour told the British public we had a deal with the US – but one month on there is no deal in sight, meaning British businesses and workers continue to suffer because of Labour's failed negotiations. 'After snatching the winter fuel payment, lying about not increasing taxes, and misleading the public by saying the US trade deal was done, the public will rightly not trust a word Labour says. 'As all the other political parties wrangle over how to spend more taxpayers money, only the Conservatives are committed to being responsible with the public finances.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The mother hoping to forge a global multi-million pound empire by championing women who refuse sex before marriage, stay at home and have babies - and buy her £142 milkmaid dresses
Brittany Hugoboom, editor and co-founder of the glossy magazine Evie, arrives with a big smile on her face – and it's hard to interpret it as anything other than a smile of defiance. Evie – and Hugoboom – are controversial even in Donald Trump 's US for their anti-feminist positions. Swipe past the professional fashion shoots and the celebrity gossip, and this is a magazine that advocates no sex before marriage, takes a stand against the Pill, and says feminism is making women depressed.
