What's at stake in Poland's presidential election?

DW (English)

The outcome of Sunday's presidential election in Poland will determine the country's direction, affecting both the government's domestic policies and its relationship with the European Union and other allies.

Transcript

00:00Poland, one of the largest countries in the EU, is at a crossroads.

00:04Its citizens are heading to the polls on May 18 for the first round of the country's presidential election.

00:10Who will the polls vote for and why is this election so important?

00:14Although not as powerful as the prime minister, the Polish president has important executive and legislative authority,

00:21such as the right to veto laws passed by the parliament.

00:24The president can also appoint top judges, all of which can significantly influence the country's politics.

00:31The current government, led by Donald Tusk, the prime minister, needs its own candidate urgently to win

00:38in order to push through key reforms that are currently being blocked by then-coming president Andrzej Duda.

00:44At the same time, this is a pivotal election for Poland and Europe as a whole.

00:49For Poland, obviously, in order to regain the state of law that has been dismantled by the peace government.

01:00And for Europe, that needs Poland as a strong player.

01:05Polish society has long been divided on key issues such as immigration, abortion, LGBTQ plus rights,

01:12judicial reform and the country's relationship with the EU.

01:15The wide range of candidates running in the election reflects these societal divisions.

01:20The campaign also mirrors a recent trend in other European countries, namely that far-right candidates are polling well.

01:28Who are the main contenders?

01:31Leading the polls with an estimated 32 percent is Rafał Czaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw,

01:37and candidate for the ruling Civic Coalition.

01:40Czaskowski promises a more progressive Poland with greater LGBTQ plus rights, abortion law reform and strengthening Poland's ties with the EU.

01:51Karol Nowrowski, a historian backed by the outgoing president Andrzej Duda and the Opposition Conservative Law and Justice Party,

01:59is also in the running.

02:01Polls indicate that he has about 22.7 percent support.

02:05Nowrowski emphasizes traditional Catholic values and national identity.

02:10If the polls are right, he will face Czaskowski in the runoff on June 1st.

02:16Slavomir Mensen, representing the far-right confederation, liberty and independence, is expected to come third, with around 15 percent.

02:24Known for his nationalist and anti-immigration views,

02:28Mensen is backed by many polls who are dissatisfied with the country's mainstream politics.

02:33This year's campaign has also been dominated by allegations of Russian interference in the electoral process.

02:41Will a wind of change blow a more liberal candidate into Warsaw's presidential palace on Sunday,

02:47or is Poland set for another five years of a conservative president?

02:51Whatever the result, the outcome is certain to shape Poland's direction, both at home and abroad, for the next five years.

03:03And how to prize a great move towards his movement?

03:05won't-

03:19The outcome is still brighter than any thunder.

03:20I'm trying to turn the infringement to Arthur Fruits and the Olivier occupy the world.

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