The Poles say this Sunday, June 1, the fate of an extremely close presidential election this Sunday, June 1, whose result will have important implications for the place of their country in Europe, but also for the right to abortion and LGBT+people.
Rafal Trzawski, 53, Pro-Eue Mayor of Warsaw and ally of the centrist government, faces the second round of the nationalist historian Karol Nawocki, 42, supported by the right and justice party (pee) of the outgoing conservative president Andrizej Doubt.
Surveys predict a particularly tight vote. Karol Nawrocki benefited from 50.1% and Rafal Trzawski of 49.9% of voting intentions, a small difference that is in the margin of error.
The voting columns, open for 7 hours, will close at 9 pm in this EU and NATO member country, which limits with Ukraine and remains a fervent support from its neighbor who defends Russia. A survey is expected at the exit of the policus of the ballot, but the final result should not be known until Monday.
Two candidates for opposite visions
A victory by Rafal Trzawski would give a great boost for the progressive agenda of the government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, former president of the European Council.
This could lead to significant social changes, such as the introduction of civil associations for same -sex couples and a relaxation of abortion legislation, almost prohibited today.
The president of Poland, a country of 38 million inhabitants, has the right of veto on the laws, and is also the head of the Armed Forces.
A victory for Karol Nawrocki would strengthen the populist populist and justice party that governed Poland between 2015 and 2023, and could lead to new parliamentary elections. Many supporters of Karol Nawrocki want stricter restrictions on immigration and broader sovereignty of their country within the European Union.
A ballot followed in Ukraine
Anna Materska-Sosnowska, a political expert, described the choice of “real clash of civilizations” due to the important divergences of policies among candidates.
Many Rafal Trzawski voters support greater integration within the EU and an acceleration of social reforms in this country, whose economy is growing rapidly.
The election is also closely followed in Ukraine, a neighboring country that seeks to strengthen international diplomatic support for its difficult negotiations with Russia.
An uncertain mobilization of voters
Karol Nawrocki, admirer of US president Donald Trump, opposes kyiv’s membership in NATO and requested restrictions on the advantages of about one million Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
In the last hours of his Friday campaign, a monument dedicated to the Poles killed by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II was flourished. “It was a genocide against the Polish people,” he said.
The final result of the choice should depend on the ability of Rafal Trzawski to mobilize enough followers, and the will of voters very well to postpone his vote on Karol Nawrocki.
The candidates on the right obtained a total of more than 21% of the votes in the first round, which Rafal Trzawski has just won with 31% of the votes, against 30% for Karol Nawrocki.
Source: BFM TV
