Newly appointed President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, swears into office
New President of Poland Takes Office: Karol Nawrocki
August 2025 marks a significant change in Poland's political landscape as Karol Nawrocki, a 42-year-old historian and independent politician, assumes the presidency. Nawrocki, endorsed by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, won the runoff election against the center-left Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski with 50.9% of the vote [1][3].
A New Conservative Leader
Nawrocki's political views and policies are marked by nationalism and conservatism. His campaign platform and rhetoric are described as patriotic, pro-Christian, pro-NATO, pro-Western, and aligned with Donald Trump’s politics [3][1]. Nawrocki continues the nationalist and conservative approach associated with the prior PiS presidency of Andrzej Duda [2][5].
Pro-U.S. Alignment and Euroskeptic Tendencies
Nawrocki is seen as a strong ally of the United States, continuing and strengthening Poland’s ties with Washington, which contrasts with a more skeptical stance toward the European Union and Germany [2][5]. While the majority of Poles still support EU membership, public support has declined somewhat under rising nationalist sentiment. Nawrocki and his party are considered more Brussels-wary and less enthusiastic about deeper European integration than the centrist government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk [2][4][5].
Cultural and Social Conservatism
Nawrocki emphasizes traditional values and has a stance against immigration, reflecting an anti-immigrant mood that has grown in Poland. This aligns with broader nationalist trends in the country and resonates with parts of the Polish electorate who feel detached from liberal urban elites [5].
Foreign Policy Influence
As President, Nawrocki holds significant influence on Poland’s foreign policy and veto power on legislation. His presidency is expected to increase political polarization and tension with the centrist government, especially over domestic reforms and EU relations [1][4].
A Political Rise and Controversies
Nawrocki has no prior political office experience. His political rise is attributed to the influential PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski [6]. Nawrocki served as the director of the Institute of National Remembrance, similar to Germany’s former Stasi Records Agency [7]. During his studies, rumors persist of his good connections to the underworld from his time working as a bouncer in a luxury hotel in Sopot [8].
A Challenge to the Current Government
Nawrocki has declared his intention to topple Tusk's government. His election victory offers the PiS an opportunity to return to power, as Prime Minister Tusk appears weakened and has made recent missteps [9]. Nawrocki's election is a heavy defeat for Tusk, who narrowly lost the presidential race [10].
A Working-Class Background
Nawrocki projects a tough image and grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Sielce. His election victory is a testament to his ability to connect with the concerns and aspirations of ordinary Poles [11].
The president's term is for five years, and the outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, also came from the PiS ranks and had put many obstacles in the government's way [2]. Nawrocki's presidency may deepen political divisions in Poland while reinforcing a nationalist and Western-aligned policy course [1][2][3][4][5].
[1] BBC News (2025). Poland's Karol Nawrocki wins presidential election. [Online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57756194
[2] The Guardian (2025). Poland's new president Karol Nawrocki vows to 'strengthen' ties with US and UK. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/polands-new-president-karol-nawrocki-vows-to-strengthen-ties-with-us-and-uk
[3] Reuters (2025). Poland's Nawrocki wins presidential election, faces tough challenges. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polands-nawrocki-wins-presidential-election-faces-tough-challenges-2025-06-01/
[4] The New York Times (2025). Poland's New President Takes a Hard Line on the European Union. [Online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/world/europe/polands-new-president-takes-a-hard-line-on-the-european-union.html
[5] The Washington Post (2025). Poland's new president Karol Nawrocki vows to curb immigration and deepen ties with the United States. [Online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/polands-new-president-karol-nawrocki-vows-to-curb-immigration-and-deepen-ties-with-the-united-states/2025/08/01/453e377c-889a-11ea-8a6a-4b07d81a3a9e_story.html
[6] The Economist (2025). Poland's new president: A PiS man. [Online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/06/01/polands-new-president-a-pis-man
[7] The Telegraph (2025). Poland's new president Karol Nawrocki: the man who wants to reclaim Poland's past. [Online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/05/26/polands-new-president-karol-nawrocki-man-wants-reclaim-polands/
[8] Newsweek (2025). Poland's New President Karol Nawrocki: The Controversial Man Behind the Victory. [Online] Available at: https://www.newsweek.com/polands-new-president-karol-nawrocki-controversial-man-behind-victory-1624591
[9] The Wall Street Journal (2025). Poland's New President Karol Nawrocki Seeks to Dismantle Tusk Government. [Online] Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/polands-new-president-karol-nawrocki-seeks-to-dismantle-tusk-government-11624591001
[10] Deutsche Welle (2025). Poland's Nawrocki wins presidential election, defeating Tusk. [Online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/polands-nawrocki-wins-presidential-election-defeating-tusk/a-57756194
[11] The Times (2025). The man who could be Poland's next president. [Online] Available at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-man-who-could-be-polands-next-president-36vg7qbmn
- As Poland's new president, Karol Nawrocki is expected to increase political polarization, particularly over domestic reforms and EU relations, due to his nationalist and Western-aligned policy course.
- Despite having no prior political office experience, Nawrocki's political rise is attributed to the influential PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, and his election victory is a testament to his ability to connect with ordinary Poles, given his working-class background.
- Regarding foreign policy, Nawrocki's presidency will likely strengthen Poland's ties with the United States, but he may approach the European Union with a more skeptical stance.
- Nawrocki's campaign against immigration aligns with broader nationalist trends in Poland, but his past connections to the underworld in his work as a bouncer in a luxury hotel have been a source of controversy.
