It said in an editorial this week that a Nawrocki win over liberal rival Rafał Trzaskowski in the June 1 runoff would diminish Poland's influence and deprive Europe of a vital source of dynamism.
The magazine’s latest issue features a red-and-white cover—the colors of Poland’s flag—with the headline "How Poland can keep its place at the heart of Europe." A strapline reads: "If it turns inward, the country and continent will lose out."
The editorial argues that a Nawrocki presidency would likely see the country's conservative opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party use the largely ceremonial office to obstruct Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU agenda and stage a comeback in the 2027 parliamentary election.
'Both Poland and Europe would suffer'
“Were Mr Nawrocki to win the second round, both Poland and Europe would suffer," The Economist said, adding that Europe would lose "a source of security and economic dynamism" while Poland would risk surrendering its hard-won central role.
By contrast, a Trzaskowski win "would make EU co-operation easier and Poland's influence would grow further," allowing Warsaw to champion support for Ukraine and deterrence against Russia, the magazine said.
Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw and a prominent figure in the centrist ruling Civic Coalition (KO), came out on top in the first round of the election on May 18, with 31.36 percent of the vote.
Nawrocki, backed by the PiS party, placed second with 29.54 percent.
'Europe’s most overlooked military and economic power'
In the editorial, the 181-year-old magazine described Poland as "Europe’s most overlooked military and economic power," reporting that its army is larger than those of Britain, France or Germany and that living standards, adjusted for purchasing power, are "about to eclipse Japan's."
The Economist says Poland’s rapid rise stems from three decades of EU integration and sound economic management, with GDP per capita more than trebling since 1995 and the country avoiding recession except during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The magazine predicts that Warsaw will benefit further when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz unleashes new infrastructure and defense spending.
'Four musketeers'
Poland now fields the fourth-largest military in Europe after Russia, Ukraine and Turkey and plans to raise defense spending above 5 percent of GDP by 2026, The Economist reported. That, it said, has catapulted Warsaw into an informal "four musketeers" security group alongside Britain, France and Germany.
Trzaskowski, a prominent figure from the centrist ruling Civic Coalition (KO), came out on top in the first round of the presidential election on May 18, with 31.36 percent of the vote.
Nawrocki placed second with 29.54 percent.
(jh/gs)
Source: The Economist, PAP