Polish voters headed to the polls on Sunday for a pivotal presidential runoff that could reshape the country’s political direction and redefine its relationship with the European Union.

The election sees liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski facing off against conservative historian Karol Nawrocki in one of the most closely watched contests in Poland's recent history.

Voting stations opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m. local time, with an Ipsos exit poll expected immediately after polls close. Official results are anticipated on Monday. The runoff follows a tight first round held on May 18, in which Trzaskowski led with 31% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Nawrocki’s 30%, eliminating 11 other candidates and setting the stage for a fiercely contested second round.

The race underscores the deep ideological divisions within Poland. Trzaskowski, 53, is running on a pro-European Union platform, vowing to restore judicial independence, ease restrictions on abortion, and strengthen Poland’s cooperation with EU institutions. Nawrocki, 42, is backed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party and promotes traditional conservative values, national sovereignty, and closer ties with U.S. conservatives, including former President Donald Trump.

Nawrocki's supporters argue that Trzaskowski's alignment with Brussels risks undermining Polish independence, citing fears of undue influence from EU powers such as France and Germany. Trzaskowski, meanwhile, has framed the election as a choice between democratic renewal and continued authoritarian drift under PiS influence.

With incumbent President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, completing his final term, the next president's role will be crucial. While largely ceremonial, the Polish presidency holds veto power, which could prove decisive in shaping or obstructing Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist and pro-European legislative agenda.

The election also takes place against the backdrop of heightened security concerns stemming from Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Both candidates support continued aid to Kyiv, though they differ on future NATO policy. Trzaskowski backs Ukraine's bid for NATO membership, while Nawrocki remains opposed.

The outcome of this razor-thin contest is expected to have significant implications not only for Poland’s domestic policies, including judicial reforms and civil rights, but also for its role within the EU and broader transatlantic alliances.

As the nation awaits the results, Poland stands at a political crossroads, with the choice of president likely to influence its democratic trajectory for years to come. (ILKHA)