A conservative historian has emerged victorious in the Polish presidential election

Right-wing historian Karol Nawrocki has been declared the winner of Poland's presidential election with 50.9% of the vote, according to the state electoral commission (PKW).

His victory is a narrow one, as he edged out Warsaw's liberal mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, who received 49.1% of the vote. This result is a reversal from the initial exit poll that showed Trzaskowski in the lead with 50.3%.

Nawrocki's presidency is likely to bolster the national conservative Law and Justice (PiS) opposition, which he represents, as he is expected to continue using his veto power against Prime Minister Donald Tusk's pro-EU policies. The role of the Polish president is mostly ceremonial, but they can veto legislation, and with the current parliamentary situation, Tusk's coalition does not have the majority to override such vetoes. Nawrocki advocates for traditional Catholic values and Polish sovereignty within the EU, while supporting Ukraine but opposing its immediate accession to NATO and the EU. His victory may encourage PiS to challenge Tusk's coalition in the 2027 parliamentary elections.

BBC