According to both analysts and citizens, the victory of conservative Karol Naulocky in the presidential outflow over the weekend in Poland is likely to cause further division and political instability between the centralist government and the new president.
Now Rocky, backed by the Right-wing Law and Judicial (PIS) Party (PIS) party at home, won 50.89% of the vote in a race against Warsaw Mayor Rafau Truzaskovsky on Sunday, according to Election Commission data released Monday.
The 42-year-old nationalist has pledged to sabotage Prime Minister Donald Tass’ centralist pro-EU government until his term ends in late 2027. Nawrocki is scheduled to take office on August 6th.
Task announced Monday that it would seek a vote of Congress’ trust in his coalition government.
His government exists apart from the presidency, but the president retains power over the law, and Now Rocky’s victory makes it extremely difficult for Task to push his pro-European agenda and push key promises, including the civil law and less restrictive disconnect laws for same-sex couples. Nawrocki opposes such measures.
Euroneus spoke to several Warsaw residents about whether Task’s government and the relationship with the new presidential election will improve compared to current reality.
“There is no agreement between the government and the president. There are two different worlds,” one Warsaw resident told Euroneus.
Another said: “They are on the other side and don’t agree. But Now Rocky is a big unknown.”
But another individual said, “But I hope that wisdom will win and somehow these relationships will settle. And this country will not be as divided as it is now.”
“Deeply split”
Results from election data show that the difference between Nowrocky and Truzaskovsky is less than 370,000 votes or 1.78 percent points. This is the smallest gap in presidential outflows since 1989.
“Poland remains a deeply divided country,” said Jacek Kucharczyk, chairman of Poland’s Institute of Civil Service.
“While election turnout was the highest ever in presidential election history, Nowrocky’s victory margin is very small. That means half of Poland cheers for the presidency, while half of Poland and the other half are deeply concerned or even more disturbed,” he added.
A conservative historian and amateur boxer with no political experience, Now Rocky presented the election as a referendum on government for the 18 months of the task. In his first public comment since his victory was announced, Now Rocky thanked those who voted for him and said he worked for a cause that matters to them
“We want to live in a safe country with a strong economy. This is what we care about the most vulnerable. A country that is important in international, European and transatlantic relations. It is a country that cherishes centuries-old traditions and respects its history,” he wrote on social media.
Trzaskowski admitted defeat and congratulated Nawrocki. “I fought to build a strong, safe, honest, empathetic Poland together,” he wrote on social media.
On Monday, President Duda said he hoped the election results would be a “clear signal” for Tusk and the government.
Following the election results, Naulocky received blessings from leaders including Trump, Ukrainian President Voldi Mie Zelensky, Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, and European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen.
