Polish Presidential Runoff: Young Voter Discontent Shapes Election Dynamics

As Poland gears up for a pivotal presidential runoff election this Sunday, the outcome remains uncertain, particularly due to widespread disillusionment among the young electorate. Despite their immense potential influence, voters under 30 largely favor political outsiders over the mainstream candidates representing the two dominant parties.

The runoff pits Rafal Trzaskowski, the liberal mayor of Warsaw backed by the centrist Civic Platform party, against Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist figure supported by the conservative Law and Justice party. This election is critically important for the centrist government led by Donald Tusk, who is keen on revamping policies away from the populist legacy of his predecessor. In the first round of voting on May 18, younger voters overwhelmingly chose anti-establishment candidates, illustrating their detachment from the traditional political scene as they reject both leading contenders in favor of fringe alternatives. The evolving youth sentiments are likely to play a decisive role in shaping the political future of Poland, particularly in the context of its stature as a significant player in the EU's eastern bloc.