Poland’s presidential elections are set for May 18, with a competitive campaign commencing. Key candidates include Rafał Trzaskowski of the Civic Coalition and Karol Nawrocki of Law and Justice. If no majority is achieved, a second round will be held on June 1, with a total of eleven candidates vying for the presidency.
The official campaign period for Poland’s presidential election has commenced, with the election scheduled for May 18. A significant victory for the ruling Civic Coalition is crucial, as it would prevent the current president, Andrzej Duda, closely allied with the opposition Law and Justice party, from obstructing their legislative initiatives. Polling indicates that Rafał Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw, is currently the frontrunner for the election.
However, he faces considerable competition from Karol Nawrocki, who is backed by the Law and Justice party and serves as the president of the Institute of National Remembrance. In third position is Sławomir Mentzen from the far-right Confederation party, which identifies itself as nationalistic and patriotic. The most intense rivalry is expected between Trzaskowski and Nawrocki, as both candidates have previously faced one anotherand have demonstrated substantial public support.
Trzaskowski narrowly lost to Duda in the previous election in 2020, with both candidates garnering over 10 million votes each. Notably, only Lech Wałęsa has ever received a higher vote count in Polish electoral history. The first round of the election will feature eleven candidates: Rafał Trzaskowski (Civic Coalition); Karol Nawrocki (Law and Justice); Szymon Hołownia (Trzecia Droga); Magdalena Biejat (New Left); Sławomir Mentzen (Confederation); Marek Jakubiak (Wolni Republikanie); Marek Woch (Bezpartyjni Samorządowcy); Romuald Starosielec (Ruch Naprawy Polski); Piotr Szumlewicz (Związkkowa Alternatywa); Adrian Zandberg (Razem); and Katarzyna Cichos (Platforma Rozwoju Polski).
Should no candidate secure the presidency in the first round, a run-off will occur on June 1. The President of Poland is elected through a universal, direct, equal, and secret ballot for a term of five years and may serve a maximum of two terms.
As the presidential election approaches in Poland, the political landscape is marked by intense competition between the ruling Civic Coalition and the opposition Law and Justice party. The election is significant for shaping future legislative initiatives. The last election, held in 2020, highlighted the division between these parties, and the outcome of the upcoming election could alter the balance of power in Poland’s governmental framework.
The commencement of the campaign for the Polish presidential elections signals an upcoming contest of vital importance to the nation’s political direction. With critical candidates like Rafał Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki in strong contention, the results will not only determine the president but also influence the legislative agenda. If required, a second round of voting will proceed, highlighting the competitive nature of this political landscape.
Original Source: www.euronews.com
