Unexpected result and expected conflict: Karol Navrotsky’s victory in the focus of European media

The results of the presidential elections in Poland, which ended with the victory of Karol Nawrocki, became an unexpected political shift in the center of Europe. After the candidate from the “Law and Justice” party was ahead of the current mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Tszaskowski, by only a few tenths of a percent, the political situation in the country worsened. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced his intention to bring the question of trust in the government to the Diet, and this only confirms the depth of the division that the election revealed not only among the elites, but also in society. The European press analyzes the consequences of the vote not only for Poland itself, but also for the EU in general, because we are talking about a country that is at the crossroads of internal instability, external threats and the historic revenge of conservative forces.

Political Criticism – Poland. The Warsaw portal Krytyka Polityczna does not see bright prospects for liberal Poland in the near future:

“For progressive voters, Navrotskyi’s victory means that the country has put the brake on the right – if not reactionary – brake. In the next five years, we should not wait for the country to allow registered partnerships for same-sex couples, legal abortions – or changes in legislation that would lead us to a secular state.”

Irish Examiner – Ireland. To justify Karol Nawrocki’s victory by the fact that he is close to the US president means not to understand the essence of what is happening at all – notes the Dublin Irish Examiner:

“The victory of the former boxer and revisionist historian was rather ensured by his position on such issues as abortions, restoring the independence of the Polish judiciary, and migration. … Aiming to weaken Tusk’s comrades before the next parliamentary elections in 2027, Navrotsky will also try to complicate the formation of a unified pro-Ukrainian position within the EU, and in addition, will hinder the development of relations between his country and other NATO member countries.

… His victory was not pro-Trump, but it will have a huge impact on Warsaw, on all of Europe and further – beyond its borders.”

LRT – Lithuania. The matter may come to early elections, – explains on the portal of the Lithuanian television and radio company LRT Laurinas Vajciunas, director of the Jan Novak-Jezeransky College of Eastern Europe located in Wroclaw:

“The ruling coalition has faltered. If Navrotsky begins to send appropriate signals to the government – which is more than likely – small parties from among those in the ruling coalition may succumb to the temptation and initiate negotiations with PiS or other opposition movements. There is a danger that early elections will be called in Poland, although the regular elections of the new parliament are still two years away. On the other hand, it can rally the ruling parties, who realize that the results of early elections are unlikely to be in their favor. The country has had two difficult years.”

Eesti Päevaleht – Естония. This is not very good news for Europe and Estonia in particular, writes Tallinn’s Eesti Päevaleht:

“Along with Estonia, Poland is at the forefront of countries when it comes to the perception of the Russian threat and the construction of real defense capabilities. In this sense, nothing will change after the presidential elections. However, there is still reason to worry about Poland. Donald Tusk, who is respected and listened to in Europe, has brought Poland to the same height as Great Britain, France and Germany – and at the same time he defends our interests as well. The current scenario implies a weaker and more passive Poland, and this is at a time when the countries bordering Russia should act as a united front as possible.”

Le Soir – Belgium. According to the Brussels-based Le Soir, cooperation within the Berlin-Paris-Warsaw triangle may be in jeopardy:

“The joint statements of the heads of state and government of Germany, France and Poland, which were made in recent weeks, have once again instilled in us faith in the success of the European project and its ability to single-handedly resist possible attacks and blows. However, now this trio no longer makes such a favorable impression: it is the controversial and attacked figure of the far-right Macron, who was elected with only a minimal advantage over the Chancellor of Germany and the Polish Prime Minister, whose positions are very shaky. With Nawrocki in Poland, Orbán in Hungary, Fico in Slovakia, Meloni in Italy and – perhaps soon – with the return of Babis in the Czech Republic, the camp of nationalists, far-right and populists is experiencing its rise, and the tailwind is provided by Donald
Trump and his armada under the banner of MAGA.”

Denik – Czech Republic. Prague’s Deník sees no tragedy at the end of these elections:

“The worst possible option is if Yaroslav Kaczynski and his PiS perceive victory in the presidential elections as a carte blanche to return to power, quick dissolution of the government and early elections. After all, in this case, Sunday evening, when the results of the elections were announced, which fairly divided the power in a divided Poland into two camps, will lose its meaning.

… Poland needs the opposite: maximum agreement and maximum cooperation of all democratic and pro-Western forces. PiS and its president Karol Navrotsky got a chance to show that they are capable of this. The Tusk government has the same chance.”