Polish PM's party picks Warsaw mayor as its candidate for president

Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski has been selected by the centrist Civic Coalition as its candidate for the 2025 presidential election, defeating Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski in a primary vote.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a party event on November 23, following a democratic process in which over 22,000 party members cast their votes, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.,

Trzaskowski secured a decisive victory with nearly 75% of the vote, while Sikorski garnered just over 25%. This result has generated significant momentum for the Civic Coalition, signalling strong internal unity and positioning the party favourably ahead of the upcoming presidential race. Tusk highlighted the importance of the primary, which showcased the party's democratic process and its ability to present two strong candidates.

“We are responsible people, we are responsible for the fate of our homeland today,” Tusk told supporters. “This is only the beginning of what is expected to be a difficult campaign.”

The primary process has drawn a sharp contrast with the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, whose presidential candidate is expected to be handpicked by party leader Jarosław Kaczyński at a convention on November 24.

Trzaskowski emphasized this difference in his acceptance speech, stating, “In PiS, one vote matters, while we value every vote, and that’s how we differ.”

He also expressed confidence in his mandate and readiness for the campaign.

“I’m convinced that we’re coming out of this primary stronger, we’re all stronger, and I have a very strong mandate and a lot of energy, determination and courage to beat PiS,” Trzaskowski declared.

Sikorski, who had campaigned for the nomination based on his expertise in security and defense—particularly relevant amid the ongoing war in Ukraine—congratulated Trzaskowski on his victory and pledged his support for the upcoming election.

Trzaskowski, 52, has served as mayor of Warsaw since 2018 and has gained recognition for his leadership during a period of rapid urban transformation, including the integration of large numbers of Ukrainian refugees into the city. He also ran for president in 2020, narrowly losing to the incumbent Andrzej Duda. A key part of Trzaskowski’s appeal within the Civic Coalition is his progressive agenda, focus on environmental preservation, and commitment to maintaining Warsaw’s green spaces and historical sites.

Party members expressed strong backing for Trzaskowski following the primary. Małgorzata Kobus, a party member, praised his leadership as mayor, while Hanna Szulczewska highlighted his suitability for the difficult regional context, citing polling data suggesting he has the best chance of defeating other candidates in the presidential race.

The first round of the 2025 presidential election is set to take place in May, with a potential runoff two weeks later if no candidate secures an outright majority. Current President Andrzej Duda will complete his second term in August 2025 and is constitutionally barred from seeking a third.

The Civic Coalition, led by Tusk’s Civic Platform, hopes that securing the presidency will enable it to push forward with its legislative agenda. With Duda holding veto power and his opposition to some of Tusk’s proposed reforms, the outcome of the presidential election will be crucial to determining the direction of Poland’s future policies.

By Khagan Isayev