Karol Nawrocki, Poland’s president-elect, has praised the nation’s strong voter turnout as a sign of civic responsibility and democratic engagement. Speaking at a ceremony in Warsaw’s Royal Castle on Wednesday, where he officially received confirmation of his election victory from the National Electoral Commission, Nawrocki said the presidential contest had shown that Poles are determined to shape their country’s future.

„The presidential election has made it clear: Poles are ready to take responsibility for their future,” Nawrocki declared, shortly after being handed the official resolution by Sylwester Marciniak, head of the National Electoral Commission.

Nawrocki, backed by the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), narrowly defeated Civic Platform’s Rafał Trzaskowski in the second round of voting, securing 50.89% of the vote to Trzaskowski’s 49.11%. Turnout reached an impressive 71.63%, underscoring the electorate’s high level of engagement.

The president-elect expressed gratitude to all those who went to the polls in the run-off, regardless of whom they supported. 

“I want to thank everyone who fulfilled their civic duty—everyone who believes in democracy and in building our nation together,” he said. 

Nawrocki emphasised that the strong turnout was a testament to Poles’ desire to vote for “real, tangible programmes, for candidates committed to serving the homeland.”

The handover of the electoral mandate marks a symbolic moment in Poland’s political calendar, paving the way for Nawrocki’s formal inauguration in the coming weeks.

President-elect Karol Nawrocki has vowed to serve all Poles, regardless of their political preferences, and called for a new era of unity and dialogue in Polish public life. Speaking during a ceremonial event at Warsaw’s Royal Castle, Nawrocki said his presidency would mark “a fresh start” for the nation’s political culture.

At the official gathering, Nawrocki was presented with the National Electoral Commission’s resolution confirming his victory, handed over by Commission Chair Sylwester Marciniak.

“I will be a president for all of Poland,” Nawrocki declared, underscoring his commitment to healing divisions within society. He outlined as a central goal the dismantling of what he described as the “walls of hatred” that have come to define much of the country’s political discourse.

“Hatred must never be a substitute for failed governance,” he said. “It cannot replace genuine political debate—whether in parliament or among the wider public.”

Nawrocki expressed hope that his presidency would herald a shift toward more constructive dialogue and inclusive governance. 

“I believe that with this new chapter in Polish politics, citizens are reclaiming their voice—free from the walls of resentment, and grounded in shared responsibility for our future,” he added.

His comments signal an attempt to reach beyond partisan lines and to reset the tone of political engagement in a country often marked by polarisation.

Source: PAP

Photo: @nawrockiKN 

Tomasz Modrzejewski