Tens of thousands of people gathered in Warsaw to show their support for the candidates in the upcoming Polish presidential run-off. This election is seen as critical for the country’s future and its relationship with Europe. Prime Minister Donald Tusk is rallying support for his candidate, Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw. Trzaskowski aims to succeed outgoing President Andrzej Duda, who is from the nationalist party and has blocked many of Tusk’s reform efforts.
On Sunday, Trzaskowski addressed a crowd waving Polish and EU flags, saying, “All of Poland is looking at us. All of Europe is looking at us. The whole world is looking at us.” His campaign focuses on reversing the changes made by the previous nationalist government, which the EU has criticized for undermining democracy and rights for women and minorities.
In the first round of voting on May 18, Trzaskowski narrowly defeated his opponent, Karol Nawrocki, by just 2 percentage points. However, recent polls show a tight race heading into the June 1 run-off, with both candidates projected to receive about 47 percent of the vote.
Supporters of Nawrocki gathered in another part of the city, some wearing hats that echoed former President Donald Trump’s “America First” slogan. They showed their support for a Poland that aligns more closely with Trump and other populist leaders. Nawrocki told his crowd, “I am the voice of all those whose cries do not reach Donald Tusk today.” His supporters carried banners with messages like “Stop Migration Pact” and “This is Poland.”
Estimates suggest around 50,000 people attended Nawrocki’s rally, while approximately 140,000 turned out for Trzaskowski’s event. Young people like Jakub Kaszycki expressed their views, saying this election could shape Poland’s direction, leaning towards Europe rather than Russia.
Adding to the event’s significance, newly elected Romanian President Nicusor Dan pledged to work closely with Tusk and Trzaskowski to strengthen Poland and the European Union. Dan’s victory over a hard-right candidate was seen as a relief in Europe, especially given concerns about the ongoing war in Ukraine.
As the election approaches, both candidates are working hard to secure the support of the voters, making this a pivotal moment for Poland’s political landscape.