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Eleven contenders running for president in Poland

13.06.2020 16:56
Contenders were criss-crossing Poland on Saturday on the campaign trail as the country prepares to hold presidential elections in two weeks.
Andrzej Duda on the campaign trail in Opole, southern Poland, on Saturday
Andrzej Duda on the campaign trail in Opole, southern Poland, on Saturday Photo: PAP/Krzysztof Świderski

Eleven candidates are running for head of state. Shortly before midnight on Friday, the State Electoral Commission gave details of the contenders, their age, education, occupation and political affiliation.

The presidential election takes place on Sunday, June 28.

If no candidate wins more than 50 percent the vote, under Polish election rules a second round will be held two weeks later, on July 12.

Under a set of rules approved by parliament and signed into law earlier this month, the election will be conducted via a mixed system of postal and traditional in-person voting.

Citizens who want to vote by postal ballot have to inform officials by June 16. Those who aim to vote while abroad must notify a consul by June 13.

Conservative incumbent Andrzej Duda, who has been president since 2015, is seeking re-election and appears to be the front-runner in the race.

Duda’s rivals in the presidential race include middle-of-the-road politician Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, leader of the rural-based Polish People’s Party (PSL); leftist Robert Biedroń; far-right hopeful Krzysztof Bosak; and celebrity journalist Szymon Hołownia.

Poland's main opposition party, the centrist Civic Platform (PO), in mid-May chose Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski as its new pick for head of state to replace deputy parliamentary Speaker Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

The Polish presidential vote was originally scheduled for May 10, but failed to go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic.

(pk)

Source: PAP