WARSAW, Poland (AP) 鈥� Exit polls in Poland鈥檚 presidential runoff Sunday showed the two candidates in a statistical tie with the race still too close to call in the deeply divided nation. The results could set the course for the nation鈥檚 political future and its relations with the European Union.
A first exit poll showed liberal Warsaw mayor Rafa艂 Trzaskowski with a slight lead over conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, but two hours later an updated 鈥渓ate poll鈥� showed Nawrocki winning 50.7%, more than Trzaskowski with 49.3%
The polls have a margin of error and it was still not clear who the winner was.
Claims of victory amid uncertainty
Though the final result was still unclear with the two locked in a near dead heat, both men claimed to have won in meetings with their supporters in Warsaw.
鈥淲e won," Trzaskowski told his supporters to chants of 鈥淩afa艂, Rafa艂.鈥�
鈥淭his is truly a special moment in Poland鈥檚 history. I am convinced that it will allow us to move forward and focus on the future," Trzaskowski said. 鈥淚 will be your president.鈥�
Nawrocki, speaking to his supporters at a separate event in Warsaw, said he believed he was on track to win. 鈥淲e will win and save Poland,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e must win tonight."
The final results were expected Monday.
A divided country
The pitted backed by the right-wing Law and Justice party and aligned with U.S. conservatives, including
The fact that it was so close underlined how deep the social divisions have become in Poland.
The outcome will determine whether Poland takes a more or pivots more decisively toward liberal democratic norms. With conservative President Andrzej Duda completing his second and final term, the new president will have significant influence over whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk鈥檚 centrist government can fulfill its agenda, given the presidential power to veto laws.
鈥淲e will not allow Donald Tusk鈥檚 grip on power to be completed,鈥� Nawrocki said.
The runoff follows a tightly contested first round of voting on May 18, in which Trzaskowski won just over 31% and Nawrocki nearly 30%, eliminating 11 other candidates.
Katarzyna Malek, a 29-year-old voter in Warsaw, cast her ballot in the first round for a left-wing candidate but went for Trzaskowski on Sunday, viewing him as more competent and more likely to pursue stronger ties with foreign partners and lower social tensions.
鈥淚 hope there will be less division, that maybe there will be more dialogue,鈥� she said.
The campaign has highlighted stark ideological divides. Trzaskowski, 53, has promised to restore judicial independence, ease abortion restrictions and promote constructive ties with European partners. Nawrocki, 42, has positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values and skeptical of the EU.
Allegations against Nawrocki
Nawrocki鈥檚 candidacy has been clouded by allegations of past connections to criminal figures and participation in a violent street battle. He denies the criminal links but acknowledges having taken part in 鈥渘oble鈥� fights. The revelations have not appeared to dent his support among right-wing voters, many of whom see the allegations as politically motivated.
鈥淲e managed to unite the entire patriotic camp in Poland, the entire camp of people who want a normal Poland, want a Poland without illegal migrants, a safe Poland. We managed to unite all those who want social, community security,鈥� Nawrocki said. It was an apparent reference to those who supported far-right candidates in the first round and who supported him on Sunday.
Some of those voting for Nawrocki in Warsaw dismissed the allegations against him, saying he shouldn't be punished for his past and that Trzaskowski has also made mistakes as mayor.
W艂adys艂awa W膮sowska, an 82-year-old former history teacher, recalled instilling patriotism in her students during the communist era, when Poland was under Moscow鈥檚 influence.
鈥淚鈥檓 a right-wing conservative. I love God, the church and the homeland,鈥� she said, explaining that Nawrocki for her is the only patriotic choice now, and accusing Trzaskowski of serving foreign interests.
鈥淗e鈥檚 controlled by Germany,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want a sovereign, independent, democratic Poland 鈥� and a Catholic one."
International echoes
Amid rising security fears over Russia鈥檚 war in neighboring Ukraine, support aid to Kyiv, though Nawrocki opposes NATO membership for Ukraine, while Trzaskowski supports it in the future.
Nawrocki's campaign has echoed themes popular on the American right, including an emphasis on traditional values. His supporters feel that Trzaskowski, with his pro-EU views, would hand over control of key Polish affairs to larger European powers like France and Germany.
Many European centrists rooted for Trzaskowski, seeing in him someone who would defend democratic values under pressure from authoritarian forces across the globe.
Vanessa Gera And David Keyton, The Associated Press
