WARSAW, Poland — Rafa? Trzaskowski, the Mayor of Warsaw, has been chosen as the presidential candidate for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist Civic Coalition for the upcoming election next year. This decision follows a primary vote in which Trzaskowski surpassed Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski.

Tusk announced the outcome during a party meeting on Saturday, revealing that Trzaskowski secured nearly 75% of the votes, while Sikorski garnered just over 25%. Sikorski acknowledged the results and extended his congratulations to Trzaskowski.

Although Trzaskowski has been seen as the leading candidate for Tusk’s party for some time, Sikorski’s entry into the race presented a challenge. Sikorski, who previously held ministerial roles in defense and foreign affairs, emphasizes that his extensive experience in security and diplomacy positions him as the more qualified candidate, especially considering the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the shifting political landscape in the U.S.

Trzaskowski is anticipated to emerge as a significant contender among various candidates from competing parties. The conservative opposition, represented by the Law and Justice party under the leadership of Jaros?aw Kaczy?ski, has yet to announce its own candidate, although it is expected that Kaczy?ski will make this decision.

While the specific date for the presidential election remains unconfirmed, it is anticipated that the first round will take place in May, with a potential runoff two weeks later if no candidate achieves an outright majority. President Andrzej Duda, who is concluding his second five-year term, will be unable to seek re-election due to constitutional restrictions.

For Tusk, ensuring an ally secures the presidency is vital for advancing his political agenda. He has faced challenges in fulfilling campaign promises due to Duda’s veto authority over legislation, as well as internal opposition within his coalition, which consists of three parties.

In his capacity as mayor, Trzaskowski has managed a rapidly evolving capital city that has taken in a substantial number of Ukrainian refugees. He previously ran for the presidency in 2020, narrowly losing to Duda. The Civic Coalition, which is steered by Tusk’s party Civic Platform, also includes smaller parties like the Greens.