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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rivals neck-and-neck ahead of Poland's 'clash of civilisations' vote
WARSAW: Warsaw's pro-EU mayor and a nationalist historian vying for Poland's presidency hold their last day of campaigning on Friday, with opinion polls predicting a close race in Sunday's vote, which will determine the direction of the key central European EU and Nato member. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Centrist Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, 53, faces off against right-leaning Karol Nawrocki, 42, on Sunday in a runoff presidential vote, with some analysts describing the contest as a "clash of civilisations." Latest polls predict a close race, with 50.6 percent of the vote going to Trzaskowski and 49.4 percent to Nawrocki, a tiny difference within the polling margin of error. A victory for Trzaskowski would be a major boost for Poland's government, which has been in a political deadlock with the current president. It could also mean significant changes such as the introduction of civil partnerships for same-sex couples and easing Poland's near-total ban on abortion. A win for Nawrocki, backed by the right-wing Law and Justice Party, could undermine Poland's steadfast support for neighbouring Ukraine against Russia. Nawrocki, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, opposes Nato membership for Kyiv and has called for curbs on benefits for the estimated one million Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Analysts say a Nawrocki victory could also lead to fresh parliamentary elections in the EU and Nato member, which has been one of Europe's best economic performers. Given the narrow polling margins, the result of the election may not be known until Monday. "I would be cautious about popping the champagne on Sunday evening," said Anna Materska-Sosnowska, a political expert. Tens of thousands of supporters took part in rival rallies for both candidates on May 25, a week before the runoff. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The final result is expected to hinge on whether Trzaskowski can mobilise enough supporters to come out and vote and whether far-right voters will cast their ballots for Nawrocki. Far-right candidates fared better than expected in the first round of the election on May 18, getting more than 21 percent of the vote and leaving Nawrocki a larger pool of votes to draw upon. Trzaskowski won that round by a razor-thin margin of 31 percent against 30 percent for Nawrocki. Materska-Sosnowska called the election "a real clash of civilisations", pointing to major policy differences between candidates who have diverging views on abortion or LGBTQ rights. The job of Polish president is sometimes dismissed as a ceremonial post, but it comes with crucial veto power over legislation. And that has often stymied Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former European Council chief whose centrist Civic Coalition (KO) has clashed on multiple fronts with conservative President Andrzej Duda since it came to power in 2023. Anna Bednarska, a 27-year-old greengrocer, said she would be backing Nawrocki in the runoff because she believes his opponent "wants to introduce immigrants into Poland". "And I think it would be better for Poland to remain Poland." The final stretch of the election campaign saw Nawrocki mired in a few scandals. While arguing against a property tax, he claimed to only own one flat. Later it was revealed he had acquired a second one in a convoluted deal with an elderly man. A bombshell news report also alleged he had arranged prostitutes for guests while working as a hotel security guard. Nawrocki called the accusations "a bunch of lies" and said he would sue the news site that published the report.
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Rivals neck-and-neck ahead of Poland's ‘clash of civilisations' vote
WARSAW: Warsaw's pro-EU mayor and a nationalist historian vying for Poland's presidency hold their last day of campaigning on Friday, with opinion polls predicting a close race in Sunday's vote, which will determine the direction of the key central European EU and NATO member. Centrist Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, 53, faces off against right-leaning Karol Nawrocki, 42, on Sunday in a runoff presidential vote, with some analysts describing the contest as a 'clash of civilisations.' Latest polls predict a close race, with 50.6 percent of the vote going to Trzaskowski and 49.4 percent to Nawrocki, a tiny difference within the polling margin of error. Poland's ruling party candidate narrowly leads opinion poll ahead of Sunday vote A victory for Trzaskowski would be a major boost for Poland's government, which has been in a political deadlock with the current president. It could also mean significant changes such as the introduction of civil partnerships for same-sex couples and easing Poland's near-total ban on abortion. A win for Nawrocki, backed by the right-wing Law and Justice Party, could undermine Poland's steadfast support for neighbouring Ukraine against Russia. Nawrocki, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, opposes NATO membership for Kyiv and has called for curbs on benefits for the estimated one million Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Analysts say a Nawrocki victory could also lead to fresh parliamentary elections in the EU and NATO member, which has been one of Europe's best economic performers. Given the narrow polling margins, the result of the election may not be known until Monday. 'I would be cautious about popping the champagne on Sunday evening,' said Anna Materska-Sosnowska, a political expert. Tens of thousands of supporters took part in rival rallies for both candidates on May 25, a week before the runoff. 'Clash of civilisations' The final result is expected to hinge on whether Trzaskowski can mobilise enough supporters to come out and vote and whether far-right voters will cast their ballots for Nawrocki. Far-right candidates fared better than expected in the first round of the election on May 18, getting more than 21 percent of the vote – and leaving Nawrocki a larger pool of votes to draw upon. Trzaskowski won that round by a razor-thin margin of 31 percent against 30 percent for Nawrocki. Materska-Sosnowska called the election 'a real clash of civilisations', pointing to major policy differences between candidates who have diverging views on abortion or LGBTQ rights. The job of Polish president is sometimes dismissed as a ceremonial post, but it comes with crucial veto power over legislation. And that has often stymied Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former European Council chief whose centrist Civic Coalition (KO) has clashed on multiple fronts with conservative President Andrzej Duda since it came to power in 2023. In Kleszczow, a village in central Poland where far-right candidates got around a third of the vote in round one, most people AFP spoke to said they would vote for Nawrocki on Sunday. 'If Trzaskowski wins, they (the ruling centrists) will sell the country, destroy it,' 40-year-old Kamil Skulimowski, who works at the local coal mine, told AFP. Anna Bednarska, a 27-year-old greengrocer, said she would be backing Nawrocki in the runoff because she believes his opponent 'wants to introduce immigrants into Poland'. The final stretch of the election campaign saw Nawrocki mired in a few scandals. While arguing against a property tax, he claimed to only own one flat. Later it was revealed he had acquired a second one in a convoluted deal with an elderly man. A bombshell news report also alleged he had arranged prostitutes for guests while working as a hotel security guard. Nawrocki called the accusations 'a bunch of lies' and said he would sue the news site that published the report.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Polish knife-edge presidential vote pits liberal mayor against conservative
Poles will vote for a new president on Sunday in a tight election that will have major consequences for the future of the country's pro-EU government. Opinion polls say Warsaw's liberal mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and national conservative historian Karol Nawrocki are running neck and neck. Poland's president is a largely ceremonial role, but it does come with significant negative power. The president has the right to veto legislation, and the coalition government lacks a big enough parliamentary majority to overturn it. Karol Nawrocki is a staunch opponent of Donald Tusk's coalition, and he is expected to use the veto as much if not more frequently than the incumbent conservative President Andrzej Duda, who cannot run for a third consecutive term. Tusk has been unable to deliver many of his campaign promises since taking office 18 months ago due to Duda's veto and divisions within his coalition which includes conservatives, centrists and leftists. Tusk promised Polish women legal abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy and voters he would repair the rule of law in the judiciary. Many critics say Poland's top courts were politicised under the previous Law and Justice-led (PiS) government that lost power in late 2023. On both issues, Tusk has made little headway. After narrowly winning the election's first round on 18 May, Rafal Trzaskowski pledged to co-operate with the government to accomplish both. Whichever candidate mobilises their voters in Sunday's second round run-off will be key to who becomes the next president. Another significant factor is who can attract the votes of two far-right candidates who placed third and fourth in the first round. The anti-establishment candidates received three times as many votes as they did in the last presidential election in 2020. While those voters support Nawrocki's socially conservative views, some libertarians disagree with his support for generous state benefits for the less well-off. Both candidates led large, rival patriotic marches in Warsaw last Sunday to show who had the biggest support. Almost all the participants at Nawrocki's rally carried the red-and-white Polish flag. No-one had the blue EU flag. One banner read "Enough of Tusk's [demolition] of democracy". Magdalena and her sister Marta said Nawrocki's patriotism was important. "We care first for our family, then the nation and after that the world," Magdalena told me. "A lot of politicians say, 'Oh, we can't do that because what will the Germans think about us?' Sorry, I don't care what they think," she said. Karol Nawrocki, 42, is head of the Institute of National Remembrance, a state body that investigates crimes dating back to the communist era and World War Two. He was relatively unknown nationally before he was picked by PiS to run. According to the CBOS polling company, voters view him as someone who supports traditional Catholic values and stands up for average Poles, including small farmers who consider themselves threatened by the EU's Green Deal limiting the use of chemicals and greenhouse gases. His typical voter is seen as aged over 40, conservative and family-oriented and living in the countryside or small towns and cities. Previously he was director of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk where he changed the exhibition to emphasise Polish heroism and suffering during the conflict. A keen amateur footballer and boxer, he likes to publish images of himself working out on social media. His strongman image has been pushed by Polish and foreign politicians alike. Ex-PM Mateusz Morawiecki posting a mock-up of Nawrocki as a Polish Captain America on social media. Supporter Magdalena said he wasn't particularly charismatic, but Poland needed "a strong man who will be stable when he's pushed by the world". Earlier this week, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem flew to a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Poland to endorse him as a "strong leader" like President Donald Trump. "I just had the opportunity to meet with Karol and listen, he needs to be the next president of Poland," she said five days ahead of the vote. Noem said his rival Trzaskowski was "an absolute train wreck of a leader". Nawrocki's campaign has been bedevilled by revelations from his relatively unknown past, although so far the allegations appear not to have damaged his support. He does not deny taking part in football hooligan brawls, and has called them "noble fights". But in that he is not alone, as several years ago Donald Tusk spoke of taking part in similar fights as a young man. However he has strongly denied a series of other allegations - that he had links with gangsters and neo-Nazis; that he took advantage of an ill senior citizen to acquire his council flat at a huge discount; and that he helped arrange prostitutes for guests at the luxury Grand Hotel in the seaside resort of Sopot when he worked there as a security guard. Nawrocki has said he will donate the flat to charity and threatened to sue the news website that published the prostitute story because it was a "pack of lies". Many of his supporters think the the stories were made up by the mainstream media, which they see as largely pro-Trzaskowski. Shaking off the revelations, Nawrocki posted a video on social media set to an old Chumbawamba song, with the chorus, "I get knocked down, but I get up again". Trzaskowski's supporters have been more inclined to believe the allegations, with one man in Warsaw holding a banner reading: "No to the gangster". The son of a famous jazz pianist, the 53-year-old mayor of Warsaw is deputy leader of Donald Tusk's centrist Civic Platform party. He is also speaks multiple languages who once served as Europe minister. He was joined in last Sunday's march in Warsaw by another liberal mayor who won the Romanian presidency earlier this month. Nicusur Dan told supporters they shared the same values of a united and strong European Union. According to CBOS, Trzaskowski's typical voter is in his 30s, fairly well-off and lives in a city. Voters see him as having left-liberal views supporting LGBT and migrants' rights. While his opponents see Trzaskowski as part of Poland's privileged elite, supporter Malgorzata, a statistician, told me he was "an intelligent, professional European. That's enough to be a president of Poland". Against a backdrop of war in neighbouring Ukraine and the Tusk government's tough stance against illegal migration, Trzaskowski has portrayed himself, artificially according to some voters, as a man who believes in a strong nation state and patriotism. Another supporter, Bartosz, said he wanted Poland to remain safely anchored in Europe. "We know history. In 1939, we counted on Britain and France, but nobody came. If we are partners with Europe politically and economically, then it's in their interests to support us," he said. Warsaw's liberal mayor narrowly wins Polish presidential vote Polish voters set for tight presidential race after 10 years of Duda Polish presidential candidate ridiculed for donning disguise to promote book
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Poland holds presidential runoff, which Trump had sought to influence
Poland's presidential election has come down to a stark ideological choice: a liberal pro-European mayor versus a staunch nationalist conservative. They are polling so close that the outcome is impossible to predict in the run-off round on Sunday. It's not just a domestic affair. President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind the nationalist candidate, Karol Nawrocki, and dangled the prospect of closer military ties if Poles choose him over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. A contest with global implications Trump met with Nawrocki earlier this month at the White House and sent his Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to a meeting of the conservative pressure group CPAC in Poland, where she offered a strong endorsement. Noem even dangled the prospect of closer US-Polish military ties in the event of a Nawrocki win with the implied warning that a Trzaskowski victory could jeopardize Poland's security. At stake is not only Poland's domestic course but also the international standing of a key European Union and NATO member on the alliance's eastern flank, in a region gripped by anxiety over Russia's war in Ukraine. Sunday's vote will either empower Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a pro-EU reformer, with a presidential ally who can advance his rule-of-law agenda or saddle him with a rival who could veto legislation and block government initiatives. Trzaskowski's supporters argue that a pro-European leader would enhance Poland's global standing during a time of war in Europe. Nawrocki's backers believe only conservative rule can safeguard national sovereignty and traditional Christian values, and they say Trump's support would greatly enhance Poland's security. Growing support for the populist right But the candidate who may ultimately decide the outcome is one who won't appear on the runoff ballot. Slawomir Mentzen, a 38-year-old far-right politician and beer producer from the central city of Torun, finished third in the first round of voting on May 18, with nearly 15 per cent of the vote. Though eliminated, his supporters often young, anti-establishment, and deeply sceptical of both Brussels and Poland's political establishment have become the most sought-after constituency in the country. Both remaining candidates have gone out of their way to court Mentzen and his base. In recent days, each man travelled to the north-central Polish town of Torun, famous for being the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, to appear on Mentzen's YouTube channel, where he has built a following with a mix of libertarian economics, nationalist rhetoric, and anti-EU invective. His influence highlights a broader shift in Polish politics, where the far right once considered a fringe force is increasingly shaping the national agenda. It's also part of a larger trend of hard-right parties gaining traction across Europe. The appeal of right-wing forces in changing times Piotr Buras, head of the European Council on Foreign Relations' Warsaw office, says Poland is part of a larger pattern in which voters turn to populist forces amid rapid social change. But he also cites local factors, such as disillusionment with Tusk's coalition. That coalition, which spans the ideological spectrum, has struggled to agree on key issues, including liberalizing the abortion law a campaign promise. Meanwhile, outgoing conservative President Andrzej Duda has blocked parts of Tusk's agenda. Observers say the coalition's voters must be highly mobilized on Sunday to defeat Nawrocki. Many votes in the first round went to protest candidates. Among voters aged 1829, over 35 per cent backed Mentzen, and nearly 20 per cent supported a far-left candidate, Adrian Zandberg, according to exit polls. In addition, an extreme right-wing antisemite, Grzegorz Braun, won more than 6 per cent of the votes overall. Buras believes right-wing protest candidates are more appealing today than those on the left because they promise to restore a lost past, while the left promises a better future that many see as unattainable. The world is changing, society is changing very fast, much faster than anytime in the past," Buras said. People are worried and they vote for those who say we can go back to the glorious past. Campaigning on a YouTube stage Since the first round, Mentzen co-leader of the Confederation party has presented both candidates with an eight-point list of demands: no new taxes; defence of cash payments; expanded gun rights; and opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine, among others. Nawrocki, who appeared on Mentzen's show on June 22, signed on to all eight points including the controversial Ukraine stance breaking with his Law and Justice party's longstanding support for Kyiv's integration with the West. Trzaskowski appeared two days later. He said he could agree with some points, like fiscal restraint, but rejected others. He strongly defended LGBTQ+ rights and reaffirmed that Ukraine should eventually join NATO, once the war ends, calling it key to Poland's own security. The YouTube interviews have dominated the political conversation, underscoring how Mentzen, a TikTok-savvy outsider, has upended traditional campaigning. The exchange between Trzaskowski and Mentzen on Saturday was occasionally tense, especially over LGBTQ+ rights, but remained civil and substantive. In many ways it overshadowed a traditional televised debate the day before. The substance of that debate did not seem to change the trajectory of the campaign. The thing Poles discussed most was a brief moment when Nawrocki inserted something into his mouth which he later said was a tobacco pouch. Some have questioned if he is fit to be president if he couldn't get through a two-hour debate without taking a hit of tobacco. A post-debate meeting over beer After the sometimes sharp exchanges, Mentzen sat down for a beer with Trzaskowski and others in the pub he owns. The informal gathering was documented by Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, who was there as well. He posted a video on social media Saturday evening showing the group with the words: For a Poland that unites, not divides. The video quickly went viral, with commentators speculating about whether it was a spontaneous gesture or a calculated political move. It was also one more example, if more were needed, of how far-right forces in Europe are slowly becoming accepted. For Mentzen, the moment was also awkward. The man who made his name skewering the political elite appeared cozy with establishment figures. Critics on the hard right lashed out, revealing fractures in the movement he helped popularize. After dangling the promises of an endorsement for days, Mentzen on Wednesday afternoon said he wouldn't offer one to either candidate. Vote as your conscience tells you, he told his supporters.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Poland holds Presidential election; Donald Trump backs nationalist candidate Karol Nawrock
Poland's Presidential election has come down to a stark ideological choice: a liberal pro-European mayor versus a staunch nationalist conservative. They are polling so close that the outcome is impossible to predict in the run-off round on Sunday (June 1, 2025). It's not just a domestic affair. President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind the nationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki, and dangled the prospect of closer military ties if Poles choose him over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. A contest with global implications Mr. Trump met with Mr. Nawrocki earlier this month at the White House and sent his Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to a meeting of the conservative pressure group Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Poland, where she offered a strong endorsement. Ms. Noem even dangled the prospect of closer U.S.-Polish military ties in the event of a Mr. Nawrocki win, with the implied warning that a Mr. Trzaskowski victory could jeopardise Poland's security. At stake is not only Poland's domestic course but also the international standing of a key European Union and NATO member on the alliance's eastern flank, in a region gripped by anxiety over Russia's war in Ukraine. Sunday's (June 1, 2025) vote will either empower Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a pro-EU reformer, with a Presidential ally who can advance his rule-of-law agenda — or saddle him with a rival who could veto legislation and block government initiatives. Mr. Trzaskowski's supporters argue that a pro-European leader would enhance Poland's global standing during a time of war in Europe. Mr. Nawrocki's backers believe only conservative rule can safeguard national sovereignty and traditional Christian values, and they say Mr. Trump's support would greatly enhance Poland's security. Growing support for the populist right But the candidate who may ultimately decide the outcome is one who won't appear on the runoff ballot. Slawomir Mentzen, a 38-year-old far-right politician and beer producer from the central city of Torun, finished third in the first round of voting on May 18, with nearly 15% of the vote. Though eliminated, his supporters — often young, anti-establishment, and deeply sceptical of both Brussels and Poland's political establishment — have become the most sought-after constituency in the country. Both remaining candidates have gone out of their way to court Mr. Mentzen and his base. In recent days, each man travelled to the north-central Polish town of Torun, famous for being the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, to appear on Mr. Mentzen's YouTube channel, where he has built a following with a mix of libertarian economics, nationalist rhetoric and anti-EU invective. His influence highlights a broader shift in Polish politics, where the far right — once considered a fringe force — is increasingly shaping the national agenda. It's also part of a larger trend of hard-right parties gaining traction across Europe. The appeal of right-wing forces in changing times Piotr Buras, head of the European Council on Foreign Relations' Warsaw office, says Poland is part of a larger pattern in which voters turn to populist forces amid rapid social change. But he also cites local factors, such as disillusionment with Mr. Tusk's coalition. That coalition, which spans the ideological spectrum, has struggled to agree on key issues, including liberalising the abortion law — a campaign promise. Meanwhile, outgoing conservative President Andrzej Duda has blocked parts of Mr. Tusk's agenda. Observers say the coalition's voters must be highly mobilised on Sunday to defeat Mr. Nawrocki. Many votes in the first round went to protest candidates. Among voters aged 18–29, more than 35% backed Mr. Mentzen, and nearly 20% supported a far-left candidate, Adrian Zandberg, according to exit polls. In addition, an extreme right-wing antisemite, Grzegorz Braun, won more than 6% of the votes overall. Mr. Buras believes right-wing protest candidates are more appealing today than those on the left because they promise to restore a lost past, while the left promises a better future that many see as unattainable. 'The world is changing, society is changing very fast, much faster than anytime in the past,' Mr. Buras said, 'People are worried and they vote for those who say we can go back to the glorious past.' Campaigning on a YouTube stage Since the first round, Mr. Mentzen — co-leader of the Confederation party — has presented both candidates with an eight-point list of demands: no new taxes; defence of cash payments; expanded gun rights; and opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine, among others. Mr. Nawrocki, who appeared on Mr. Mentzen's show on June 22, signed on to all eight points — including the controversial Ukraine stance — breaking with his Law and Justice party's longstanding support for Kyiv's integration with the West. Mr. Trzaskowski appeared two days later. He said he could agree with some points, like fiscal restraint, but rejected others. He strongly defended LGBTQ+ rights and reaffirmed that Ukraine should eventually join NATO, once the war ends, calling it key to Poland's own security. The YouTube interviews have dominated the political conversation, underscoring how Mr. Mentzen, a TikTok-savvy outsider, has upended traditional campaigning. The exchange between Mr. Trzaskowski and Mr. Mentzen on Saturday (May 24, 2025) was occasionally tense, especially over LGBTQ+ rights, but remained civil and substantive. In many ways it overshadowed a traditional televised debate the day before. The substance of that debate did not seem to change the trajectory of the campaign. The thing Poles discussed most was a brief moment when Mr. Nawrocki inserted something into his mouth which he later said was a tobacco pouch. Some have questioned if he is fit to be President if he couldn't get through a two-hour debate without taking a hit of tobacco. A post-debate meeting over beer After the sometimes sharp exchanges, Mr. Mentzen sat down for a beer with Mr. Trzaskowski and others in the pub he owns. The informal gathering was documented by Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, who was there as well. He posted a video on social media Saturday (May 24, 2025) evening showing the group with the words: 'For a Poland that unites, not divides.' The video quickly went viral, with commentators speculating about whether it was a spontaneous gesture or a calculated political move. It was also one more example, if more were needed, of how far-right forces in Europe are slowly becoming accepted. For Mr. Mentzen, the moment was also awkward. The man who made his name skewering the political elite appeared cozy with establishment figures. Critics on the hard right lashed out, revealing fractures in the movement he helped popularise. After dangling the promises of an endorsement for days, Mr. Mentzen on Wednesday (May 28,2025) afternoon said he wouldn't offer one to either candidate. 'Vote as your conscience tells you,' he told his supporters.
