Conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, inspired by Donald Trump, appears poised to narrowly claim victory in Poland’s presidential election, based on a recent exit poll.
An Ipsos survey indicates that Mr. Nawrocki has garnered 50.7% of the votes, while his opponent, the pro-EU candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, stands at 49.3%.
This late exit poll was released just hours after an earlier one presented the results in the opposite direction.
The initial Ipsos poll suggested Mr. Nawrocki was set to receive 49.7% of votes compared to his rival’s 50.3%. Both polls carry a margin of error of two percentage points.
The electoral commission anticipates announcing the final results by Monday morning or afternoon.
After the first poll results were revealed, both candidates declared victory.
Mr. Trzaskowski, 53, has pledged to relax abortion laws, introduce civil partnerships for LGBT couples, and enhance relationships with European partners.
At an election event in Warsaw, he waved to supporters as they chanted his name.
Rafal Trzaskowski in Warsaw following the exit poll announcement. Pic: Reuters
“We won,” Mr. Trzaskowski told his supporters, promising to be a president for all citizens, including those who did not vote for him.
He added: “This is a pivotal moment in Poland’s history. I believe it will help us move forward and focus on the future. I will be your president.”
However, Mr. Nawrocki, 42, expressed confidence that the final vote would swing in his direction. “We will win and save Poland,” he stated. “Tonight, we must win.”
Karol Nawrocki speaks to his supporters. Pic: AP
He has positioned himself as a champion of traditional Polish values, aligning with American conservatives, including Mr. Trump, and demonstrating skepticism towards the EU.
The election has garnered keen attention from neighboring Ukraine, as well as Russia, the European Union, and the United States; the ultimate decision will determine whether Poland moves toward liberal values or adopts a more nationalist stance.
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Poland’s new president will significantly influence whether the centrist government can implement its agenda, thanks to the presidential power to veto laws.
This runoff follows a fiercely contested first round of voting in May, where Mr. Trzaskowski received just over 31% and Mr. Nawrocki nearly 30%, eliminating 11 other candidates.