The liberal favourite stumbles in Poland’s presidential election
EconomistMAY 18
Exit Poll: Poland Set for Presidential Runoff Election
Above: Campaign posters of presidential candidates Rafał Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki are seen in Sedziszow, Poland on May 16, 2025. Image copyright: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
This presidential runoff is a critical opportunity to restore democratic institutions in Poland, whose performances in global indices have been disastrous as a result of PiS reforms that have yet to be reversed. That is why it is so important for the country that Trzaskowski wins — he is the only one that can help the government to restore judicial independence, protect civil rights and improve relations with the EU.
Right narrative
There is still a long way to go in the fight for Nawrocki to win the presidency, as the electoral system always favors centrist and leftist politicians against their conservative and populist counterparts, but the performance of the right-wing camp in the first round is an immensely positive result. When Poles head to the runoff, all conservatives and populists must be united behind Nawrocki to defeat Donald Tusk's globalist candidate.