On Wednesday evening, Karol Nawrocki will receive the official certificate confirming his election as the President of Poland. His path to victory came as a surprise to the political establishment, and his biography has sparked widespread public interest, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to BBC.
Until the start of the presidential campaign, Nawrocki, head of the Institute of National Remembrance, was largely unknown to the general public. However, during the election race, he underwent a remarkable transformation. From a clumsy speaker who avoided sharp questions and drew attention mainly for his physical fitness, Nawrocki evolved into a strong debater. He managed to hold his ground against the country’s top politicians and ultimately won, even though he was not considered the front-runner.
Nawrocki’s name first emerged in early 2024 as a possible nominee from the right-wing conservative Law and Justice party. After its defeat in the 2023 parliamentary elections, Jarosław Kaczyński’s party began exploring the idea of putting forward an outsider — someone not directly associated with Law and Justice, yet still appealing to its increasingly conservative electorate.
“I am a man of blood and bone,” Nawrocki repeatedly stated throughout his campaign. This phrase was meant to portray him as a relatable figure, especially to the residents of Poland’s provinces, who overwhelmingly voted for him over Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, widely viewed as an aristocrat of “blue blood.” The message also aimed to evoke patriotic emotions, calling to mind the red and white of the Polish flag.
Another factor that worked in Nawrocki’s favor was his simplicity and the overtly controversial episodes from his biography. These elements shaped his image as an “everyman” — someone who understands the life of the average Pole and could become a source of support in times of crisis and uncertainty. His experience as a historian, museum worker, former boxer, and even as an expert in Gdańsk’s criminal underworld added layers to his public persona and fueled curiosity about what kind of president he would become.
Earlier we wrote that Nawrocki opposes Ukraine’s EU accession despite backing in war.