Poland’s Presidential Election in the Balance

Speakers

• Michał Baranowski, Director, Warsaw Officer, The German Marshall Fund of the United States
• Michał Szułdrzyński, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Rzeczpospolita

Moderators

• Jonathan Katz,  Senior Fellow, Frontlines of Democracy Initiative, The German Marshall Fund of the United States
• Susan Corke, Senior Fellow and Director, Transatlantic Democracy Working Group, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

The German Marshall Fund of the United States invites you to a timely virtual briefing on the second round of Poland’s hotly contested presidential election that will take place on July 12. The next round of voting pits incumbent President Andrzej Duda (Law and Justice Party - PiS) against Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski (Civic Coalition - KO). Speakers joining from Warsaw to provide in-depth analysis include GMF’s Warsaw Director Michał Baranowski and Michał Szułdrzyński from Rzeczpospolita.

Despite coronavirus concerns, the first round of the presidential election in Poland took place on June 28 with high voter turnout slightly over 64.51%. The incumbent President Duda received nearly 43.50% while Mayor Trzaskowski received 30.46%. The outcome of the next round of voting is uncertain. Will Duda move on to a second presidential term or will Trzaskowski be able to close the gap and secure support from other opposition candidates and their voters to prevail? Panelist will discuss the first round results, the potential outcome of the July 12 second round vote, and what a victory by either Duda or Trzaskowski means for Poland domestically and for its relations with the European Union, United States, and regionally.

If you have any questions, please contact John Alexander at [email protected].