Poland's presidential election set for May: Key battle for pro-EU government

On January 8, the head of Poland’s parliament announced that the country’s presidential election will be held on May 18, with a possible run-off scheduled for June 1, if necessary.

The upcoming election will play a pivotal role in determining whether the pro-European Union government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk will secure an ally in the presidential palace at a critical time for both Poland and Europe, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Incumbent right-wing President Andrzej Duda, who has clashed with the government by blocking legislation and making strong criticisms, will leave office in August after completing his second five-year term. Under Poland’s constitution, he is ineligible to seek re-election.

Szymon Holownia, the influential speaker of the Sejm (lower house of parliament), has announced his candidacy for president as the leader of Poland 2050, a party within the ruling coalition. Holownia stated that he was revealing the election date early in order to allow sufficient time for campaigning and other procedures.

The ruling Civic Coalition has selected Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski as its presidential candidate, while Tusk, the coalition's leader and former European Union head, has opted to remain in his current government position.

Meanwhile, the right-wing opposition party, Law and Justice, has endorsed historian Karol Nawrocki for president. Nawrocki, currently head of a national history institute, has been a controversial figure, with recent media reports alleging links to far-right groups and criminal circles. He has denied these allegations.

The Law and Justice party, previously in power for eight years under Duda’s presidency, was ousted in the 2023 general election, ending its period of euro-sceptic governance.

Additionally, far-right leader Slawomir Mentzen is running as the candidate for the Konfederacja (Confederation) party in the presidential race.

By Aghakazim Guliyev