Tens of Thousands March in Warsaw for Rival Polish Presidential Candidates

Ahead of the June 1 runoff presidential election in Poland, tens of thousands of supporters of the two main candidates, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, participated in simultaneous rival marches in Warsaw. Trzaskowski, backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the pro-European Civic Coalition, advocates for democratic reforms, judicial changes, and strengthening Poland's ties with the European Union. In contrast, Nawrocki represents nationalist conservative values, opposing immigration and favoring closer alignment with the United States under a Trump-style approach. The election outcome will influence whether Poland continues on a path of EU integration and democratic reform or shifts towards nationalist policies. The current president, Andrzej Duda, affiliated with the conservative Law and Justice party, has used his veto power to block many reform efforts, heightening the stakes of this vote. Both candidates are polling closely, making the election a critical moment for Poland's political future and its role in Europe.