Poland's new President Nawrocki: Curse or Blessing for the EU?

Poland's new President Nawrocki: Curse or Blessing for the EU?

Słubice, Polen - On June 2, 2025, Karol Nawrocki was elected as the new President of Poland. This reports Tagesschau . Nawrocki prevailed in an exciting runoff election against the liberal candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, who was previously leading in surveys. During the election campaign, Nawrocki, who is officially independent and acted as a candidate of the right-wing conservative PIS, made EU-critical statements and announced that Poland could not be prescribed by Brussels.

The reactions to his victory are mixed. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Nawrocki and emphasized the need for good cooperation between Poland and the EU. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also expressed his congratulations to him and emphasized the importance of German-Polish friendship by inviting Nawrocki to Berlin. Steinmeier called for a cooperative approach that is based on democracy and the rule of law.

election campaign and allegations

The choice was not without controversy. Opposition leader Donald Tusk sharply criticized Nawrocki and accused the PIS to support an unsuitable candidate. According to politico , serious allegations have arisen against Nawrocki, including prostitutes in one Luxury hotel organized on the Baltic Sea. Nawrocki decisively rejected these allegations and announced legal steps against reporting. He described the political situation as "political prostitution".

The political circumstances could have used Nawrocki. Political scientist Anna Siwierska-Chmaj from the University of Rzeszów found that the current scandals could benefit him because the PIS party supports him as a de facto candidate. Despite these allegations, Nawrocki seems to have a solid supporter base that is immune to the allegations.

effects on German-Polish relationships

The election outcome has potential effects on future relationships between Germany and Poland. CDU foreign politician Paul Ziemiak said that the election result could be understood as a protest election against established politicians and that the tonality in relationships could deteriorate. Knut Abraham, the Federal Government's Poland representative, spoke of a "really difficult" outcome of the election and pointed out the need for pragmatic cooperation.

The president now elected has already taken a clear position: Nawrocki rejects the EU migration and asylum pact and would like to terminate the European Green Deal. The political orientation of Poland could therefore change significantly under his leadership.