Toba Owojaiye reporting
POLAND – Karol Nawrocki, a 42-year-old conservative historian and former amateur boxer, has been elected as Poland’s next president after narrowly defeating liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski in the 2025 presidential runoff.
The final vote count announced on Monday showed Nawrocki securing 50.89% of the vote, compared to Trzaskowski’s 49.11%, reflecting a deeply polarized electorate .
Truth Live News gathered that though new to electoral politics, Nawrocki has held prominent roles in Poland’s historical institutions.
He served as director of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk from 2017 to 2021 and has been the head of the Institute of National Remembrance since 2021 .
His academic work focuses on anti-communist resistance, organized crime during the communist era, and the history of sports.
Nawrocki ran as an independent candidate but was backed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party.
His campaign emphasized nationalist and socially conservative themes, including prioritizing Polish citizens over Ukrainian refugees and expressing skepticism toward European Union influence.
He also cultivated a tough-guy image, sharing videos of himself at shooting ranges and boxing gyms .
Nawrocki’s victory is expected to challenge Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist, pro-European Union government.
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With the power to veto legislation, Nawrocki could obstruct efforts to reverse controversial judicial reforms implemented during the previous PiS administration, potentially leading to political gridlock .
Internationally, Nawrocki’s election has been welcomed by European far-right leaders, including Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and France’s Marine Le Pen, signaling a potential shift in Poland’s stance within the EU. While Nawrocki supports military aid to Ukraine, he opposes Ukraine’s NATO membership and has criticized extended refugee support, reflecting a more nationalist foreign policy approach .
Karol Nawrocki is scheduled to be sworn in as president on August 6, succeeding Andrzej Duda.
His election marks a significant moment in Polish politics, indicating continued support for conservative leadership amid ongoing national debates over history, identity, and Poland’s role in the European Union.
For more detailed information on Karol Nawrocki’s background and the potential implications of his presidency, you can refer to the following sources: