In a powerful display of political engagement, tens of thousands of Poles gathered in Warsaw on Sunday, May 25, to support their respective presidential candidates ahead of the June 1 runoff election. The two rival marches underscored the nation’s deep political divide and the high stakes of the upcoming vote.
The first march was led by Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, a pro-European Union liberal candidate backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Coalition. Trzaskowski’s platform emphasizes democratic reform, LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, and closer ties with the EU. An estimated 140,000 supporters participated, waving EU flags and calling for a return to democratic values. Trzaskowski argued that the election is a choice between truth and dishonesty, highlighting controversies surrounding his opponent, Karol Nawrocki.
Opposing him, Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian and candidate of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, led a march of approximately 50,000 supporters. Nawrocki advocates for traditional values, nationalism, and a closer alignment with U.S. policies. His campaign has drawn comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently met with Nawrocki in the Oval Office. Nawrocki’s supporters voiced concerns about ideological changes in schools and regional sovereignty.
The upcoming runoff election is poised to be a referendum on Poland’s future direction, with contrasting visions on democracy, foreign policy, and national identity. As both candidates vie for the presidency, the outcome will have lasting implications for the nation’s political landscape.
