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Andrzej Duda victory in Polish presidential election signals shift to right Andrzej Duda victory in Polish presidential election signals shift to right
(about 2 hours later)
Polish voters have sent a strong signal that they are unhappy with the country’s direction, apparently unseating the president despite years of fast economic growth and unprecedented stability.Polish voters have sent a strong signal that they are unhappy with the country’s direction, apparently unseating the president despite years of fast economic growth and unprecedented stability.
According to an exit poll, challenger Andrzej Duda, a rightwing member of the European parliament, won the presidential election on Sunday with 52% of the vote to 48% for the incumbent, Bronislaw Komorowski. Official results are expected late on Monday. According to an exit poll, challenger Andrzej Duda, a rightwing member of the European parliament, won the presidential election on Sunday with 52% of the vote to 48% for the incumbent, Bronisław Komorowski. Official results are expected late on Monday.
If Duda’s win is confirmed, it could herald a political shift in the European Union’s sixth largest economy, a nation that has been able to punch above its weight in Europe without belonging to the 19-nation eurozone. Poland’s influence is underlined by the fact that one of its own, Donald Tusk, now heads the European Council in Brussels.If Duda’s win is confirmed, it could herald a political shift in the European Union’s sixth largest economy, a nation that has been able to punch above its weight in Europe without belonging to the 19-nation eurozone. Poland’s influence is underlined by the fact that one of its own, Donald Tusk, now heads the European Council in Brussels.
The changing political mood could signal a return to power of Duda’s conservative Law and Justice party in parliamentary elections this autumn. That would cement Poland’s turn to the right, create a new dynamic with other European countries and possibly usher in a less welcoming climate for foreign investors.The changing political mood could signal a return to power of Duda’s conservative Law and Justice party in parliamentary elections this autumn. That would cement Poland’s turn to the right, create a new dynamic with other European countries and possibly usher in a less welcoming climate for foreign investors.
Law and Justice presents itself as a protector of those who have not benefited from the capitalist transformation and as a defender of national interests abroad. It is staunchly pro-US, but has a sometimes defiant stance towards other European partners, which has created tensions in the past with the EU and neighbouring Germany.Law and Justice presents itself as a protector of those who have not benefited from the capitalist transformation and as a defender of national interests abroad. It is staunchly pro-US, but has a sometimes defiant stance towards other European partners, which has created tensions in the past with the EU and neighbouring Germany.
Duda says he wants new taxes on the foreign-owned banks and supermarkets to protect Polish interests, suggesting an approach similar to that of Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán. He also wants banks returned to Polish control.Duda says he wants new taxes on the foreign-owned banks and supermarkets to protect Polish interests, suggesting an approach similar to that of Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán. He also wants banks returned to Polish control.
Jacek Kucharczyk, president of the Institute of Public Affairs, an independent thinktank in Warsaw, said Poland’s relations with other European powers would now depend on whether Duda sticks to the relatively moderate agenda he campaigned on or embraces his party leader’s more combative foreign policy stance.Jacek Kucharczyk, president of the Institute of Public Affairs, an independent thinktank in Warsaw, said Poland’s relations with other European powers would now depend on whether Duda sticks to the relatively moderate agenda he campaigned on or embraces his party leader’s more combative foreign policy stance.
“That would be a nightmare scenario for Polish foreign policy, because it would mean getting into conflicts with Germany and anti-EU stunts and aggressive rhetoric towards Russia,” Kucharczyk said. “We are in for a bumpy ride. The only question is how bumpy it will be.”“That would be a nightmare scenario for Polish foreign policy, because it would mean getting into conflicts with Germany and anti-EU stunts and aggressive rhetoric towards Russia,” Kucharczyk said. “We are in for a bumpy ride. The only question is how bumpy it will be.”
Party supporters have been rejoicing since Duda’s apparent victory was announced late on Sunday. They say the party will do much more to help the many Poles who have not benefited from the country’s economic growth, those who face low wages and job insecurity despite a quarter of a century of growth. In his campaign speeches, Duda often spoke of the more than 2 million Poles who left in the past decade to seek better economic opportunities abroad.Party supporters have been rejoicing since Duda’s apparent victory was announced late on Sunday. They say the party will do much more to help the many Poles who have not benefited from the country’s economic growth, those who face low wages and job insecurity despite a quarter of a century of growth. In his campaign speeches, Duda often spoke of the more than 2 million Poles who left in the past decade to seek better economic opportunities abroad.
Supporters also say Duda will do more to fight for the country’s economic interests. “Andrzej Duda is a responsible person and will be a responsible president,” said Zbigniew Ziobro, who was justice minister when the Law and Justice party led the government. “He will fulfil Poland’s obligations toward Nato and the European Union, but he will definitely put more stress on Poland’s interests.”Supporters also say Duda will do more to fight for the country’s economic interests. “Andrzej Duda is a responsible person and will be a responsible president,” said Zbigniew Ziobro, who was justice minister when the Law and Justice party led the government. “He will fulfil Poland’s obligations toward Nato and the European Union, but he will definitely put more stress on Poland’s interests.”
The rise of Duda marks a generational shift in Polish politics. He would be the sixth president since the fall of communism in 1989, but, at 43, the first who is too young to have been a major participant in the 1980s struggle between communist authorities and the Solidarity opposition movement. He apparently won a significant share of young voters on Sunday.The rise of Duda marks a generational shift in Polish politics. He would be the sixth president since the fall of communism in 1989, but, at 43, the first who is too young to have been a major participant in the 1980s struggle between communist authorities and the Solidarity opposition movement. He apparently won a significant share of young voters on Sunday.
Duda said on Monday he planned to leave Law and Justice, following a tradition of Polish presidents breaking formal ties with their parties to represent the entire nation.Duda said on Monday he planned to leave Law and Justice, following a tradition of Polish presidents breaking formal ties with their parties to represent the entire nation.
Komorowski left the pro-EU Civic Platform party when he won the presidency in 2010, but remained closely tied to it. Observers say this was a key factor in his undoing, with voters punishing him for government corruption scandals and unpopular measures, such as a rise in the retirement age.Komorowski left the pro-EU Civic Platform party when he won the presidency in 2010, but remained closely tied to it. Observers say this was a key factor in his undoing, with voters punishing him for government corruption scandals and unpopular measures, such as a rise in the retirement age.