Credit: The New York Times
Poland’s 2025 presidential election is shaping up to be a crucial event, especially with current President Andrzej Duda’s term ending and the major political parties preparing their strategies. Following significant shifts in Poland's recent parliamentary elections, the presidential race will likely center around ongoing debates on EU integration, judicial independence, and civil rights—all of which have implications for foreigners living in or moving to Poland.
With incumbent Andrzej Duda term-limited, two main figures currently stand out as frontrunners: Rafał Trzaskowski and Mateusz Morawiecki.
Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw and a member of Civic Platform, is a likely candidate for the centrist Civic Coalition. Having narrowly lost to Duda in 2020, he has strong name recognition and could attract broad support from the coalition backing Civic Platform, Third Way, and the Left. In a recent IBRiS survey of 1,069 adult participants, 56.3% believed that Trzaskowski has a better chance against the PiS candidate for the presidency than Radosław Sikorski.
Mateusz Morawiecki, the former Prime Minister and a prominent figure in the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), is another top contender. Morawiecki’s leadership background positions him well, although his moderate stance within PiS may face challenges from more conservative party supporters.
Poland has had some friction with the EU, particularly on issues like judicial independence, press freedom, and adherence to EU values. For EU nationals living in Poland, changes in Poland’s relationship with the EU could affect travel, residency, and employment rights. If a candidate supports policies that increase tensions with the EU, concerns may arise about Poland’s future in the EU or potential changes in EU-regulated relations with Poland.
Although the current government is seen as more pro-EU, some recent policies are not far from the stance of the previous government. Immigration has been a contentious issue, and regardless of who wins, any changes could impact foreign nationals. It’s essential to stay informed through reliable news sources like Foreigners.pl.
While it’s too early to predict exactly how the 2025 election will impact foreigners, closely monitoring the candidates' platforms and policies on these key issues can help people gauge potential outcomes.
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