Poland's Presidential Election: A Crucial Second Round Awaits
Poland is currently in the midst of a pivotal presidential election, with polling stations set to close at 9 PM local time. Expectations of a high voter turnout are evident in the second round of this election, as voters flock to cast their ballots. By noon, a remarkable 24.83% of eligible voters had already participated, according to the election commission in Warsaw. This figure surpasses the turnout at the same time during the previous second round of the presidential election in 2020, where 6.82% of Poles had voted—a notably high figure in its own right.
With approximately 29 million citizens eligible to vote in Poland, the stakes are considerable. Current President Andrzej Duda, who has served two consecutive terms, is disqualified from running again, paving the way for a new leader. The race is characterized by a narrow margin between the candidates: liberal Rafał Trzaskowski, backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition, and right-conservative Karol Nawrocki from the opposition Law and Justice Party (PiS).
In the first round of voting two weeks ago, 53-year-old Trzaskowski emerged with 31.36% of the votes, while 42-year-old Nawrocki trailed closely behind with 29.54%. The unexpectedly competitive nature of Nawrocki's campaign has added layers of intrigue to the election.
As the polling stations approach their closing time, forecasts are anticipated, though it's important to note that such predictions, often seen in Germany, are less common in Poland. The official results of this crucial election round are expected to be released on Monday, with the nation keenly awaiting the outcome that will shape its political future.
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