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Poland’s presidential election to take place on May 18

08.01.2025 15:30
Poland’s presidential election will take place on May 18, the Speaker of the country’s lower house of parliament, Szymon Hołownia, announced on Wednesday.
Polands lower-house Speaker Szymon Hołownia.
Poland's lower-house Speaker Szymon Hołownia.PAP/Marcin Obara

If no contender wins more than 50 percent of the vote, under Polish election rules, a second round will be held two weeks later, on June 1.

Front-runners in the presidential race include Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, supported by the governing Civic Coalition (KO), and Karol Nawrocki, head of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Rafał Trzaskowski będzie gościem porannej audycji "Bez Uników" Rafał Trzaskowski. Photo: Cezary Piwowarski/Polskie Radio
Karol Nawrocki "kandydatem obywatelskim" na prezydenta. PiS go popiera Karol Nawrocki. Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak

Other candidates include leftist politician Magdalena Biejat, far-right hopeful Sławomir Mentzen, and conservative lawmaker Marek Jakubiak.

Magdalena Biejat Magdalena Biejat. Photo: Przemysław Chmielewski/Polskie Radio
Sławomir Mentzen. Sławomir Mentzen. Photo: Robert Bartosewicz/PR24
Marek Jakubiak Marek Jakubiak. Photo: Polskie Radio/Piotr Podlewski

Hołownia himself has also thrown his hat in the ring, announcing his bid for the presidency in mid-November.

While he is seen as one of Poland's most trusted politicians, recent polls suggest he is not currently favoured to win the election.

Conservative incumbent Andrzej Duda, who has been president since 2015, is ineligible to seek a third term under election rules.

Prezydent Andrzej Duda zaatakował premiera Donalda Tuska Andrzej Duda. Photo: Marek Borawski/KPRP

Duda's second term in office ends on August 6.

(gs)

Source: TVP Info, IAR, PAP