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Cross-border Talks
Cross-Border Talks is an independent medium ran by journalists from Poland, Bulgaria and Czechia.
Karol Nawrocki’s narrow win in Poland’s presidential runoff reflects growing polarization and euroskepticism but is unlikely to trigger major changes in policy, according to political expert Dr. Spasimir Domaradzki.![]()
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Speaking to TVP World on Monday, the analyst said that liberal candidate Trzaskowski faced an uphill battle in the runoff due to the combined strength of the supporters of the conservative-nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party and those who backed far-right candidates, including Confederation’s Sławomir Mentzen.![]()
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“I think that it is quite obvious that the results from the first round... [showed] how difficult it would be for Rafał Trzaskowski to close the gap and make sure that he keeps first place,” Domaradzki said, noting Nawrocki’s strong support from far-right voters.![]()
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Domaradzki—a leading political scientist from the University of Warsaw—emphasized that the presidency has largely symbolic power in terms of international relations, saying, “it is not the institution that shapes the nature of relations between Poland and the EU.”![]()
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Despite leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán—who is opposed to the EU’s vehement backing of Ukraine in its war with Russia—lauding Nawrocki’s victory, Domaradzki cautioned against reading too much into potential shifts in alliances.![]()
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“In that sense, we will have a certain continuity from [incumbent Polish] President [Andrzej] Duda... the question on Russia is a no-go in Polish-Hungarian relations.” On Nawrocki’s opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, Domaradzki was blunt: “Talking about the potential membership of Ukraine in the current setting, whether in the European Union or in NATO, is an absolute level of political fantasy.”![]()
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Comparing regional dynamics, he said that “what we see is actually the enduring existence of this... duopoly or the existence of two main political parties” in Poland, in reference to PiS and the centrist Civic Coalition (KO), the party of Trzaskowski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This contrasts with anti-establishment electoral trends in Romania, where pro-EU Bucharest Mayor Nicuşor Dan was recently elected president in a similarly tight race.![]()
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Poland’s presidential election signals shift, but change likely limited, analyst says
tvpworld.com
Dr. Spasimir Domaradzki emphasized that the presidency has largely symbolic power.
On the evening of 1 June 2025, Cross-border Talks co-founders Malgorzata Kulbaczewska-Figat and Vlad Mitev will host a live-streaming event reflecting on the results of Polish presidential elections, current affairs and relations between Poland and Southeastern Europe. Topics for discussion will include Polish polarisation, the country's economic development, Catholic fundamentalism and women’s rights, right-wing and left-wing populism, the Weimar Triangle, the Three Seas Initiative, Poland's attitude towards Russia, MAGA and the EU’s core. We will also speak to some interviewees about what to expect next from Polish internal politics and foreign policy.![]()
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Cross-Border Talks covers the Polish presidential elections![]()
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On the evening of 1 June 2025, Cross-border Talks co-founders Malgorzata Kulbaczewska-Figat and Vlad Mitev will host a live-streaming event reflecting on the results of Polish current affairs and relations between Poland and Southeastern Europe. Topics for discussion will include Polish polarisation, the country's economic development, Catholic fundamentalism and women’s rights, right-wing and left-wing populism, the Weimar Triangle, the Three Seas Initiative, Poland's attitude towards Russia, MAGA and the EU’s core. We will also speak to some interviewees about what to expect next from Polish internal politics and foreign policy.![]()
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The live streaming will start around 20.45 CET (21.45 EET) and the link for it is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOInEIoY_9M
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