British News Agency

Polls show a tight race between Warsaw’s liberal mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and nationalist conservative historian Karol Nawrocki.

The Polish president holds a largely ceremonial role, but with significant blocking power.

The president has the right to veto legislation, and the coalition government lacks a sufficient parliamentary majority to override it.

Karol Nawrocki is a staunch opponent of Donald Tusk’s coalition, and though he’s expected to use the veto less frequently than current conservative President Andrzej Duda, Duda cannot run for a third term.

Since taking office 18 months ago, Tusk has failed to fulfill many campaign promises due to Duda’s veto and divisions within the coalition of conservatives, centrists, and the left.

Tusk promised Polish women legal abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy and pledged to restore rule of law in the judiciary.

Many critics say Poland’s top courts were politicized under the previous Law and Justice (PiS)-led government, which lost power in late 2023.

After narrowly winning the first round on May 18, Rafal Trzaskowski pledged to work with the government to achieve both goals.

The candidate who can mobilize voters in Sunday’s second round will play a key role in determining the next president.

Another major factor is who can attract the votes of the two far-right candidates who placed third and fourth in the first round.