WARSAW, Poland — The speaker of Poland’s parliament announced on Wednesday that the upcoming presidential election is scheduled for May 18, with a potential runoff to take place on June 1 if no candidate achieves a majority in the first round.
This election will be pivotal, determining whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-European Union administration secures a supportive figure in the presidential office, particularly during these turbulent times for both Poland and the broader European region, given the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine.
Current President Andrzej Duda, representing the right-wing faction, has been in conflict with Tusk’s government, frequently obstructing legislation and making critical remarks about the administration. Recently, Duda opted to go skiing instead of attending a concert gala that was part of Poland’s rotating presidency within the European Union.
Duda is set to conclude his tenure in August as he wraps up his second five-year term, and he is ineligible for reelection due to constitutional limitations.
Szymon Holownia, who serves as the influential speaker for the lower house of parliament, known as the Sejm, has declared his intention to run for president under the Poland 2050 party, a member of the ruling coalition. He explained that by announcing the election date early, he aims to provide sufficient time for the electoral and campaigning processes, which are permitted to commence from January 15.
In Poland, the presidential role holds limited power as the government retains primary control over both domestic and international policies. While the president serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces and collaborates with the government, they also have the authority to propose and veto legislation and influence the nation’s foreign relations.
The Civic Coalition, the main governing party, has nominated Warsaw’s Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski as its presidential candidate. Tusk, the party leader and former president of the European Union, opted to remain in government rather than run for the presidency.
In contrast, the right-wing opposition party, Law and Justice, is supporting historian Karol Nawrocki for the presidency. Currently the head of a national history research institute, Nawrocki has been a contentious figure, facing accusations in the media regarding connections to far-right factions and alleged affiliations with criminal networks, which he has denied.
Following eight years of contentious, Euro-skeptic governance, Law and Justice experienced an electoral setback in the 2023 general elections. Duda, their prominent figure, was closely aligned with their political objectives.
Additionally, Slawomir Mentzen, a leader from the far-right Konfederacja (Confederation) party, is also entering the presidential race, adding further dynamics to the election landscape.