Warsaw Mayor, Conservative Historian Advance Polish Presidential Runoff

Poland's presidential election is headed to a second round runoff on June 1 between liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, according to multiple exit polls. Trzaskowski, aligned with Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform and known for his pro-EU and secular views, garnered around 30.8-31.1% of the vote, while Nawrocki, backed by the national conservative Law and Justice party and known for his hardline stances, including anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, secured about 29.1%. The gap between the two candidates is narrower than expected, making the runoff highly competitive. Trzaskowski is appealing to left-wing voters by promising liberal reforms, whereas Nawrocki is calling on right-wing and far-right supporters to prevent Tusk's coalition from gaining full control. The election occurs amid concerns about Russian interference and recent cyberattacks on Polish state infrastructure, adding tension to the political climate. Nawrocki, who has embraced a pro-Trump stance and seeks to consolidate conservative and populist voters, faces an uphill battle given the electoral system's favoring of establishment candidates, but remains confident about his chances.