Latest news with #Oxford-educated
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poland's high-stakes presidential vote pits pro-EU centrist against MAGA nationalist
By Barbara Erling WARSAW (Reuters) - Poles vote in a closely fought presidential election run-off on Sunday that pits the centrist, pro-European ruling party's candidate against a nationalist challenger who draws inspiration from U.S. President Donald Trump. Opinion polls show Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski of the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) narrowly leading Karol Nawrocki, the candidate backed by the main opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, ahead of the June 1 second round, which will have consequences for EU ties and relations with Ukraine. The two candidates embody contrasting visions of Poland's international relations, security strategy and social policies. Trzaskowski, 53, the Oxford-educated son of a jazz musician, champions a liberal agenda that stresses the importance of women's rights and strong ties with the European Union and NATO. Nawrocki, 42, a historian who has been endorsed by the Trump administration, has positioned himself as a newcomer with no political baggage. He wants Poland to follow a path inspired by Trump and regards Washington as Warsaw's key ally, not Brussels. Julia Szwoch, a 25-year-old student of pedagogy from the northern port city of Gdansk, said she would back Trzaskowski in Sunday's run-off vote. "I want to live in a Poland that is inclusive and takes into account the needs of all people," she said. In contrast, Michal Diug, 21, an electrotechnology student, said he would probably back Nawrocki "so there isn't a monopoly of power" at the top of the Polish state. Trzaskowski has promised "peaceful cooperation" with the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and to help undo changes to Poland's judiciary under PiS that critics in the EU and at home said had eroded democratic checks and balances. In the October 2023 election, PiS lost its parliamentary majority to Tusk's coalition after eight years in power, amid widespread public dissatisfaction over PiS's record on women's and minority rights. However, Poland's outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has used his veto power to block many of Tusk's reforms and Nawrocki vows to do the same, describing the election as a referendum on the government. "If my opponent, Karol Nawrocki, wins there will be only chaos," Trzaskowski told a mass rally in Warsaw last Sunday. Trzaskowski faces a tricky balancing act ahead of the second round. He wants to appeal both to supporters of the far-right Confederation, whose candidate placed third in the first round, and to progressives disappointed with Tusk's government. He has said he is against accepting more refugees after Poland took in almost a million Ukrainians fleeing the war next door, but remains committed to liberalising abortion laws. "We have to go wide," said Dorota Loboda, a Trzaskowski campaign team member. CONSERVATIVE VOICE Nawrocki said that after years of what he calls "mistakes", including energy dependence on Russia and the EU climate pact, Europe needs "a strong, conservative voice, also from Poland". "I will make sure that Poland becomes the leader of the European Union in transatlantic relations. We have the best cards for this," he told the Conservative Political Action Conference in Poland on Tuesday. His campaign has been characterized by nationalist rhetoric and a focus on traditional values. Nawrocki opposes abortion and aims to keep coal mines operating until Poland develops its own nuclear energy. He opposes EU migration policies. Although Nawrocki says he favours continued Polish support for Ukraine's war effort, he says he would not ratify any application by Kyiv to join NATO. Trzaskowski argues that Poland's own safety depends on Ukraine joining NATO. Nawrocki has faced allegations about his past in liberal media outlets, including a report that he lied about owning a second property and that he acquired it from an elderly man in return for a promise of care which he did not provide. He has denied any wrongdoing. Trzaskowski has faced questions over whether a series of advertisements criticising his opponents subverted campaign spending rules. He also denies any wrongdoing. The election takes place against a backdrop of rising anti-establishment sentiment in Poland, with the far-right achieving their strongest ever showing. Pollsters expect far-right votes to go mainly to Nawrocki. "We can already see in these elections that these anti-establishment emotions are driven by a perception that the politicians have again failed to deliver," said Filip Pazderski, an analyst at the Stefan Batory Foundation. "The situation will become ever more difficult for the current government," said Pazderski, adding that if Tusk fails to deliver on his promises, existing tensions between coalition partners could intensify and a snap parliamentary election might become inevitable.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Poland's high-stakes presidential vote pits pro-EU centrist against MAGA nationalist
WARSAW (Reuters) - Poles vote in a closely fought presidential election run-off on Sunday that pits the centrist, pro-European ruling party's candidate against a nationalist challenger who draws inspiration from U.S. President Donald Trump. Opinion polls show Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski of the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) narrowly leading Karol Nawrocki, the candidate backed by the main opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, ahead of the June 1 second round, which will have consequences for EU ties and relations with Ukraine. The two candidates embody contrasting visions of Poland's international relations, security strategy and social policies. Trzaskowski, 53, the Oxford-educated son of a jazz musician, champions a liberal agenda that stresses the importance of women's rights and strong ties with the European Union and NATO. Nawrocki, 42, a historian who has been endorsed by the Trump administration, has positioned himself as a newcomer with no political baggage. He wants Poland to follow a path inspired by Trump and regards Washington as Warsaw's key ally, not Brussels. Julia Szwoch, a 25-year-old student of pedagogy from the northern port city of Gdansk, said she would back Trzaskowski in Sunday's run-off vote. "I want to live in a Poland that is inclusive and takes into account the needs of all people," she said. In contrast, Michal Diug, 21, an electrotechnology student, said he would probably back Nawrocki "so there isn't a monopoly of power" at the top of the Polish state. Trzaskowski has promised "peaceful cooperation" with the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and to help undo changes to Poland's judiciary under PiS that critics in the EU and at home said had eroded democratic checks and balances. In the October 2023 election, PiS lost its parliamentary majority to Tusk's coalition after eight years in power, amid widespread public dissatisfaction over PiS's record on women's and minority rights. However, Poland's outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has used his veto power to block many of Tusk's reforms and Nawrocki vows to do the same, describing the election as a referendum on the government. "If my opponent, Karol Nawrocki, wins there will be only chaos," Trzaskowski told a mass rally in Warsaw last Sunday. Trzaskowski faces a tricky balancing act ahead of the second round. He wants to appeal both to supporters of the far-right Confederation, whose candidate placed third in the first round, and to progressives disappointed with Tusk's government. He has said he is against accepting more refugees after Poland took in almost a million Ukrainians fleeing the war next door, but remains committed to liberalising abortion laws. "We have to go wide," said Dorota Loboda, a Trzaskowski campaign team member. CONSERVATIVE VOICE Nawrocki said that after years of what he calls "mistakes", including energy dependence on Russia and the EU climate pact, Europe needs "a strong, conservative voice, also from Poland". "I will make sure that Poland becomes the leader of the European Union in transatlantic relations. We have the best cards for this," he told the Conservative Political Action Conference in Poland on Tuesday. His campaign has been characterized by nationalist rhetoric and a focus on traditional values. Nawrocki opposes abortion and aims to keep coal mines operating until Poland develops its own nuclear energy. He opposes EU migration policies. Although Nawrocki says he favours continued Polish support for Ukraine's war effort, he says he would not ratify any application by Kyiv to join NATO. Trzaskowski argues that Poland's own safety depends on Ukraine joining NATO. Nawrocki has faced allegations about his past in liberal media outlets, including a report that he lied about owning a second property and that he acquired it from an elderly man in return for a promise of care which he did not provide. He has denied any wrongdoing. Trzaskowski has faced questions over whether a series of advertisements criticising his opponents subverted campaign spending rules. He also denies any wrongdoing. The election takes place against a backdrop of rising anti-establishment sentiment in Poland, with the far-right achieving their strongest ever showing. Pollsters expect far-right votes to go mainly to Nawrocki. "We can already see in these elections that these anti-establishment emotions are driven by a perception that the politicians have again failed to deliver," said Filip Pazderski, an analyst at the Stefan Batory Foundation. "The situation will become ever more difficult for the current government," said Pazderski, adding that if Tusk fails to deliver on his promises, existing tensions between coalition partners could intensify and a snap parliamentary election might become inevitable. (Reporting by Barbara Erling; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Poland's high-stakes presidential vote pits pro-EU centrist against MAGA nationalist
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, the presidential candidate of the Civic Coalition, speaks as he attends \"Patriotic March\" organised by the ruling party, ahead of the second round of presidential elections, in Warsaw, Poland, May 25, 2025. Agencja Atys via REUTERS/File Photo WARSAW - Poles vote in a closely fought presidential election run-off on Sunday that pits the centrist, pro-European ruling party's candidate against a nationalist challenger who draws inspiration from U.S. President Donald Trump. Opinion polls show Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski of the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) narrowly leading Karol Nawrocki, the candidate backed by the main opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, ahead of the June 1 second round, which will have consequences for EU ties and relations with Ukraine. The two candidates embody contrasting visions of Poland's international relations, security strategy and social policies. Trzaskowski, 53, the Oxford-educated son of a jazz musician, champions a liberal agenda that stresses the importance of women's rights and strong ties with the European Union and NATO. Nawrocki, 42, a historian who has been endorsed by the Trump administration, has positioned himself as a newcomer with no political baggage. He wants Poland to follow a path inspired by Trump and regards Washington as Warsaw's key ally, not Brussels. Julia Szwoch, a 25-year-old student of pedagogy from the northern port city of Gdansk, said she would back Trzaskowski in Sunday's run-off vote. "I want to live in a Poland that is inclusive and takes into account the needs of all people," she said. In contrast, Michal Diug, 21, an electrotechnology student, said he would probably back Nawrocki "so there isn't a monopoly of power" at the top of the Polish state. Trzaskowski has promised "peaceful cooperation" with the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and to help undo changes to Poland's judiciary under PiS that critics in the EU and at home said had eroded democratic checks and balances. In the October 2023 election, PiS lost its parliamentary majority to Tusk's coalition after eight years in power, amid widespread public dissatisfaction over PiS's record on women's and minority rights. However, Poland's outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, has used his veto power to block many of Tusk's reforms and Nawrocki vows to do the same, describing the election as a referendum on the government. "If my opponent, Karol Nawrocki, wins there will be only chaos," Trzaskowski told a mass rally in Warsaw last Sunday. Trzaskowski faces a tricky balancing act ahead of the second round. He wants to appeal both to supporters of the far-right Confederation, whose candidate placed third in the first round, and to progressives disappointed with Tusk's government. He has said he is against accepting more refugees after Poland took in almost a million Ukrainians fleeing the war next door, but remains committed to liberalising abortion laws. "We have to go wide," said Dorota Loboda, a Trzaskowski campaign team member. CONSERVATIVE VOICE Nawrocki said that after years of what he calls "mistakes", including energy dependence on Russia and the EU climate pact, Europe needs "a strong, conservative voice, also from Poland". "I will make sure that Poland becomes the leader of the European Union in transatlantic relations. We have the best cards for this," he told the Conservative Political Action Conference in Poland on Tuesday. His campaign has been characterized by nationalist rhetoric and a focus on traditional values. Nawrocki opposes abortion and aims to keep coal mines operating until Poland develops its own nuclear energy. He opposes EU migration policies. Although Nawrocki says he favours continued Polish support for Ukraine's war effort, he says he would not ratify any application by Kyiv to join NATO. Trzaskowski argues that Poland's own safety depends on Ukraine joining NATO. Nawrocki has faced allegations about his past in liberal media outlets, including a report that he lied about owning a second property and that he acquired it from an elderly man in return for a promise of care which he did not provide. He has denied any wrongdoing. Trzaskowski has faced questions over whether a series of advertisements criticising his opponents subverted campaign spending rules. He also denies any wrongdoing. The election takes place against a backdrop of rising anti-establishment sentiment in Poland, with the far-right achieving their strongest ever showing. Pollsters expect far-right votes to go mainly to Nawrocki. "We can already see in these elections that these anti-establishment emotions are driven by a perception that the politicians have again failed to deliver," said Filip Pazderski, an analyst at the Stefan Batory Foundation. "The situation will become ever more difficult for the current government," said Pazderski, adding that if Tusk fails to deliver on his promises, existing tensions between coalition partners could intensify and a snap parliamentary election might become inevitable. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rafal Trzaskowski: the pro-EU Polish polyglot with his eye on the presidency
By Barbara Erling and Alan Charlish SZCZECIN, Poland (Reuters) - Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, the Oxford-educated son of a jazz musician and frontrunner in Sunday's Polish presidential election, made friends across the European Parliament when he worked there, including with Portugal's now-foreign minister. "He was very well known, not only because he was very talented," Paulo Rangel said during a break from campaigning for his own country's election, referring to their time together as EU lawmakers from 2009. "He really became very popular... because he was a very easy-going person but at the same time he could speak five languages," he added. Trzaskowski can communicate in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Italian. His supporters hope his friendships with high-ranking European policymakers like Rangel can further Poland's growing influence in Europe since Prime Minister Donald Tusk succeeded a eurosceptic nationalist in 2023. But it is also part of the reason some Poles going to vote in the first round of a presidential election on May 18 view him as part of a liberal metropolitan elite whose concerns are far removed from their own. Trzaskowski paints the vote as a choice between Western liberal values and the rising nationalism across central and eastern Europe, where eurosceptic parties have already won power or are poised to do so. "These elections are about whether we will be part of the West or part of the East," he told a rally in the northern port city of Szczecin. "Look where Slovakia is today, where Hungary is, what's happening in the Balkans. Look - this very same battle is happening in Romania... These parties are either pro-Russian or repeat Russian propaganda. They simply don't feel at home in Europe. Why? Because Europe is too positive for them." His rivals are fighting back. "He is so European he has forgotten he is Polish," said Marek Suski, a lawmaker from the nationalist opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party. PiS backs conservative historian and amateur boxer Karol Nawrocki to become president, a role with limited executive powers but the right to veto legislation, in the election, which is likely to go to a second round. Outgoing PiS President Andrzej Duda has used his power of veto to block many of Tusk's pro-European reforms. POLITICAL CAREER After studying in Oxford and Paris, Trzaskowski wrote a PhD thesis in Warsaw called "The dynamics of reforming the decision-making system of the European Union". He worked as an adviser and an elected member of the European Parliament before becoming Poland's Minister of Administration and Digitalisation and then Deputy Foreign Minister. As mayor of Warsaw since 2018, he has gained a reputation as a supporter of liberal causes such as LGBT rights. His critics say he is a deeply polarising figure in a country where many Poles, especially outside the big cities, hold socially conservative views, and they are scathing about his perceived rightward shift during the presidential campaign. His rivals also say his pro-European stance means he will put the interests of other countries above those of Poland. His supporters say he is trying to reach out to all sides of the political spectrum. "His goal is to reduce the polarisation we see in Poland," said Agnieszka Pomaska, a lawmaker from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) and a member of Trzaskowski's campaign team. "He's definitely not someone who rejects ideas just because they come from another political camp." Rangel said Trzaskowski could cement Poland's place as a major player at the heart of European policymaking over the twin challenges of Russia's invasion of Poland's eastern neighbour Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Trzaskowski's international track record "will open a lot of doors," Rangel said.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Rafal Trzaskowski: the pro-EU Polish polyglot with his eye on the presidency
Civic Coalition presidential candidate, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski gives a high five to his supporter during an election meeting in Brzeg, Poland, May 14, 2025. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Rafal Trzaskowski: the pro-EU Polish polyglot with his eye on the presidency SZCZECIN, Poland - Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, the Oxford-educated son of a jazz musician and frontrunner in Sunday's Polish presidential election, made friends across the European Parliament when he worked there, including with Portugal's now-foreign minister. "He was very well known, not only because he was very talented," Paulo Rangel said during a break from campaigning for his own country's election, referring to their time together as EU lawmakers from 2009. "He really became very popular... because he was a very easy-going person but at the same time he could speak five languages," he added. Trzaskowski can communicate in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Italian. His supporters hope his friendships with high-ranking European policymakers like Rangel can further Poland's growing influence in Europe since Prime Minister Donald Tusk succeeded a eurosceptic nationalist in 2023. But it is also part of the reason some Poles going to vote in the first round of a presidential election on May 18 view him as part of a liberal metropolitan elite whose concerns are far removed from their own. Trzaskowski paints the vote as a choice between Western liberal values and the rising nationalism across central and eastern Europe, where eurosceptic parties have already won power or are poised to do so. "These elections are about whether we will be part of the West or part of the East," he told a rally in the northern port city of Szczecin. "Look where Slovakia is today, where Hungary is, what's happening in the Balkans. Look - this very same battle is happening in Romania... These parties are either pro-Russian or repeat Russian propaganda. They simply don't feel at home in Europe. Why? Because Europe is too positive for them." His rivals are fighting back. "He is so European he has forgotten he is Polish," said Marek Suski, a lawmaker from the nationalist opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party. PiS backs conservative historian and amateur boxer Karol Nawrocki to become president, a role with limited executive powers but the right to veto legislation, in the election, which is likely to go to a second round. Outgoing PiS President Andrzej Duda has used his power of veto to block many of Tusk's pro-European reforms. POLITICAL CAREER After studying in Oxford and Paris, Trzaskowski wrote a PhD thesis in Warsaw called "The dynamics of reforming the decision-making system of the European Union". He worked as an adviser and an elected member of the European Parliament before becoming Poland's Minister of Administration and Digitalisation and then Deputy Foreign Minister. As mayor of Warsaw since 2018, he has gained a reputation as a supporter of liberal causes such as LGBT rights. His critics say he is a deeply polarising figure in a country where many Poles, especially outside the big cities, hold socially conservative views, and they are scathing about his perceived rightward shift during the presidential campaign. His rivals also say his pro-European stance means he will put the interests of other countries above those of Poland. His supporters say he is trying to reach out to all sides of the political spectrum. "His goal is to reduce the polarisation we see in Poland," said Agnieszka Pomaska, a lawmaker from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO) and a member of Trzaskowski's campaign team. "He's definitely not someone who rejects ideas just because they come from another political camp." Rangel said Trzaskowski could cement Poland's place as a major player at the heart of European policymaking over the twin challenges of Russia's invasion of Poland's eastern neighbour Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Trzaskowski's international track record "will open a lot of doors," Rangel said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
