Polished conservative

• Karol Nawrocki, a 42-year-old conservative historian, won the Polish presidential election on June 1, securing 50.89% of the vote against Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.

• Nawrocki’s victory was a surprise due to his successful mobilization of voters who had previously supported far-right candidates.

• Nawrocki ran as an independent candidate but was heavily backed by the nationalist-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party.

• His victory was welcomed by the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, who had hosted him a month prior to the election.

• Nawrocki’s public career is built upon his academic work as a historian, focusing on Poland’s anti-communist resistance.

• He consolidated the right-wing vote in the second round, attracting 87% of the supporters of far-right leader Slawomir Mentzen.

• Nawrocki has faced personal allegations, including claims of past involvement in organized football hooliganism and the acquisition of an apartment from an elderly person under allegedly questionable circumstances.

• His victory sets the stage for a period of political tension with the centrist government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

• Nawrocki has expressed scepticism about Ukraine’s potential NATO membership and the long-term costs of aid to refugees, a shift from the previous government’s posture.