The 42-year-old historian, backed by the conservative opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, won 50.89 percent of the vote, defeating liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, who garnered 49.11 percent.
His victory extends the party’s control of the veto-wielding presidency for a third consecutive five-year term, following incumbent Andrzej Duda.
Right-wing celebrations
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hailed a “fantastic victory” for Nawrocki, posting on X: “We are looking forward to working with you on strengthening the Visegrad cooperation.”
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen wrote on X that Nawrocki's victory "is good news in the face of a European Commission whose authoritarian policies and federalist goals brutally treat national sovereignty."
This victory "is a rejection of the oligarchy in Brussels that wants to impose uniformity of law on member states," Le Pen said.
Romanian hard-right figure George Simion, who in May lost the domestic election to liberal Nicusor Dan, wrote: "Poland won. Congratulations Karol Nawrocki."
In Washington, Donald Trump’s administration had openly courted Nawrocki.
The US president hosted him in the Oval Office last month, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told a CPAC event in Poland that Nawrocki's election could help ensure continued US military support, according to reports.
EU, NATO reactions
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen struck a conciliatory tone, saying she was “confident that the EU will continue its very good cooperation with Poland” and that Europe is “stronger together.”
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier congratulated Nawrocki and called for the two countries to "cooperate closely based on democracy and the rule of law,"
Poland and Germany are key to “ensure a future of security, freedom and prosperity for Europe,” Steinmeier said in a statement published on his website.
NATO chief Mark Rutte vowed to work together with Poland’s president-elect to boost the alliance in the face of the threat from Russia.
At a press briefing after arriving in Vilnius for a summit of leaders of NATO's eastern flank countries, Rutte told journalists he was looking forward to working with the new leader on "making sure that with Poland, NATO becomes even stronger than it is today."
Czech President Petr Pavel voiced hope Warsaw would keep its “pro-Western course,” a sentiment echoed by the Latvian and Estonian leaders.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Nawrocki but noted that Poland “remains a pillar of regional security.”
Diplomats in Kyiv nevertheless fear Warsaw’s strong support could waver, as Nawrocki links further aid to resolving the issue of World War II-era atrocities in the historic Volhynia region."
Nawrocki has dismissed deeper EU integration, joint borrowing and the bloc’s Green Deal, positions likely to fuel clashes with Tusk’s centrist coalition and Brussels.
Analysts said the incoming president can delay or veto legislation, intensifying Poland’s political "cohabitation" standoff.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, IAR