Post by : Meena Ariff

On Wednesday, Poland will welcome a new president, Karol Nawrocki. He is a conservative historian who has gained strong support from Poland’s nationalist party, Law and Justice (often called PiS). His election win is a big moment for the country and is expected to bring both political conflict and major changes in Poland’s direction.

Who is Karol Nawrocki?

Karol Nawrocki is not a well-known politician. Before becoming president, he worked as the head of the Institute of National Remembrance, a place where historians study Poland’s history and past crimes. He is also known to be a supporter of Donald Trump's MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. Some people in Poland admire his strong patriotism and traditional views, while others are worried that his actions may divide the country.

Even though Nawrocki did not have much experience in politics, he won the support of the Law and Justice party. That helped him rise quickly in the political world and finally win the presidential election. He is also known to be an amateur boxer and has created a strongman image for himself. During the election campaign, he admitted that he once took part in a fight between football fans, something that made headlines across the country.

A Shocking Election Result

Karol Nawrocki’s victory was a surprise to many. The current Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, who leads a centrist and pro-European Union government, was hoping to keep Poland on a more open, European path. But Nawrocki’s win now threatens that plan.

The election result hit Tusk’s government hard. It made his position weaker and caused a drop in support in recent opinion polls. Many experts now believe Poland may face a political deadlock again, much like the one seen under the previous president, Andrzej Duda, who was also from the nationalist side.

Political Conflict Likely

As president, Nawrocki will have the power to veto laws and stop decisions made by the government. This could create a lot of conflict, especially because the current government wants to change many rules that were made by PiS in the past. One major issue is the justice system. The government wants to fix what it sees as damage caused by PiS reforms, which some say made judges less independent. But with Nawrocki in power, those changes may not happen easily.

Nawrocki has also promised to push for tax cuts—something that could be popular with many citizens, especially during times of high prices and economic pressure. However, the current government already has a tight budget, and these tax cuts may be very hard to afford. This could cause more arguments between the president and the prime minister.

Changing Tone on Ukraine and NATO

Another major concern is Nawrocki’s view on international matters, especially when it comes to Ukraine. While many European countries support Ukraine’s path toward joining NATO and the European Union, Nawrocki has said he does not see a place for Ukraine in either group at the moment. This is a big change from Poland’s previous position under President Duda, who was very supportive of Ukraine, especially during the war with Russia.

Poland plays an important role in NATO. The president of Poland must approve when a new country is added to the alliance. With Nawrocki’s current position, it may become more difficult for Ukraine to move forward with joining NATO.

US Over EU?

In foreign relations, Nawrocki and PiS have always believed that the United States is Poland’s most important partner. His spokesman clearly said, “The United States is undoubtedly our priority partner.” This view could lead to disagreements with the current government, which wants the European Union to play a larger role in defense alongside NATO.

Donald Tusk believes that Europe should become stronger and more united in handling its security. Nawrocki, however, might resist this idea, fearing it could hurt Poland’s relationship with the United States.

A President with Many Unknowns

Although Nawrocki has strong views, political experts say it is still unclear what kind of president he will truly be. Some think he will closely follow the Law and Justice party’s ideas, while others believe he might try to do things in his way.

Andrzej Rychard, a sociologist from the Polish Academy of Science, said, “I don’t know if he will fully carry out the plans of Law and Justice or bring new ideas.” This uncertainty means people in Poland are watching closely to see what Nawrocki will do first after taking office.

A Campaign Full of Drama

Nawrocki’s campaign was filled with controversy. One of the most talked-about issues was a case involving a property deal. According to reports, Nawrocki received a second home from an elderly man after promising to take care of him, but allegedly failed to do so. Nawrocki has denied any wrongdoing and said he did nothing illegal. Still, this story grabbed a lot of attention in the media.

His rough past, including the fight with football hooligans, did not stop him from winning. Some of his supporters liked his tough image, saying it made him look strong and ready to protect the country.

Election Protests and Division

After Nawrocki’s win, many supporters of the losing candidate, Rafal Trzaskowski, raised complaints about the election process. Thousands of protests were filed with the Supreme Court, claiming there were problems at polling stations. However, officials said the problems were not serious enough to change the final result.

Meanwhile, PiS leaders accused their liberal opponents of trying to ignore the choice made by voters. They called on their supporters to come to Warsaw for the inauguration. “Whoever can, come to Warsaw … for the swearing-in of the president,” said PiS lawmaker Michal Wojcik. “Let’s show that patriots are with Karol Nawrocki on this important day.”

What Happens Next?

As Nawrocki becomes Poland’s new president, the country enters a new and uncertain chapter. The political battle between the president and the government could slow down many changes that the ruling party hopes to make. Meanwhile, big decisions about Poland’s role in Europe and its relations with Ukraine and the United States are now up in the air.

For now, the eyes of the Polish people—and much of the world—will be on Karol Nawrocki to see how he leads, how he governs, and whether he brings the country together or further apart.