Warsaw, Jun 02 (V7N) — Karol Nawroki, a historian and former amateur boxer, has narrowly won the Polish presidential election, securing 50.89 percent of the vote, according to the final results announced Monday by the National Election Commission. His main rival, Warsaw’s liberal mayor Rafael Traszkowski, received 49.11 percent, AFP reported.

Nawroki, 42, was the candidate of the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, which governed Poland from 2015 to 2023. Throughout his campaign, Nawroki emphasized prioritizing social benefits for ethnic Poles and advocated that Polish citizens should receive priority access in hospitals and clinics.

The newly elected president has voiced criticism of Poland’s aid to Ukraine, describing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “arrogant” and opposing Ukraine’s NATO membership bid. Nawroki is known for his close ties to former US President Donald Trump, with whom he met at the White House in May. Trump reportedly expressed confidence in Nawroki’s victory, saying, “You will win.”

The election campaign was marred by controversy surrounding Nawroki. Allegations surfaced about his ownership of multiple apartments, despite his claims of owning only one, and reports accused him of involvement in arranging sex workers during his time as a hotel security guard—charges Nawroki vehemently denies and has threatened to challenge legally.

Born in the Baltic port city of Gdansk, Nawroki holds a PhD and MBA in history and has led prominent institutions including the World War II Museum in Gdansk and the Institute of National Remembrance. His research has focused on communist-era crimes and the Polish resistance movement.

In 2024, Russia placed Nawroki on a “wanted list” following his role in dismantling Soviet-era monuments in Poland. He later acquired a firearms license amid heightened tensions.

Nawroki also wrote a 2018 book on communist criminal Nikodem Skotarchuk under the pseudonym “Tadeusz Batyr,” a revelation that drew criticism from the opposition for its covert nature.

As Poland faces a politically divided future, Nawroki’s presidency is expected to continue the nationalist policies that have defined the Law and Justice party’s tenure.

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