Poland’s new president, Karol Nawrocki, will assume office this week, thereby raising expectations of political stagnation in Warsaw. Already calling Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU administration “the worst in history,” a fervent nationalist and Trump supporter, Nawrocki, signals open disagreement ahead.
Political novice Nawrocki won the June 1 election by a thread over liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski. His win exacerbates polarization in Poland, a major NATO and EU member nation that has been instrumental in aiding Ukraine.
Although the Polish presidency is not only symbolic, Nawrocki has actual powers: he can veto or start legislation and sway defense and foreign policies. While outgoing president Andrzej Duda often sparred with Tusk—especially over abortion laws—Nawrocki’s term is expected to create even more serious divisions.
Tusk has cautioned Nawrocki will “do everything to vex us” and made it clear he will fight any effort to “demolish” his administration. He informed TVN news that “Policy is my duty and will always stay.”
Conversely, Nawrocki has pledged to be an “active president” driving measures to “stimulate” the government. Challenging Warsaw’s present foreign policy consensus, he is expected to oppose liberal migration policies and call for a stricter approach on Ukraine.
Though Tusk’s group rules Poland’s parliament, both sides may have to negotiate compromises. Prolonged fighting might damage government, according to political analysts. Piotr Trudnowski, of the Klub Jagiellonski think tank, said, “Clearly, engaging in aggressive confrontation is not the way forward.”
Shortly before the first round of elections, a vocal Trump supporter named Nawrocki paid the erstwhile American president a visit. Rejection of Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and criticism of Kyiv for what he perceives as a lack of gratitude toward Poland have signaled a more wary attitude.
Under his rallying call “Poland first, Poles first,” Nawrocki also questioned support for over one million Ukrainian refugees in the nation.
Still, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has congratulated him and hopes for continuous cooperation. Zelensky said both leaders had approved reciprocal visits and would seek “real results” for both countries following a phone call last week.
With Nawrocki currently becoming president, the direction of Poland’s foreign and domestic policy could be in a tumultuous new chapter.
