In recent analysis for the Australian Institute of International Affairs, our Deputy Director, Dr Kasia Williams, examined the first-round results of Poland’s presidential election, the views of the candidates and what they reveal about the broader political shift across Europe.

Initially leading, liberal Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski was ultimately overtaken in the runoff by Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian backed by the Law and Justice (PiS) party. Nawrocki secured 50.89% of the vote to Trzaskowski’s 49.11%, a margin of just over 369,000 votes, highlighting the growing appeal of nationalist and Eurosceptic views in the region. This outcome not only reshapes Poland’s political landscape, it also signals broader trends in European politics, including rising populism, anti-EU sentiment and the rise of fear-driven narratives in politics. 

Read the full article in the Australian Outlook (AIIA) at this link: https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/polands-electoral-crossroads-right-wing-surge-threatens-liberal-lead/