Duda backs Poland's right-wing candidate as his favourite for president
Polish President Andrzej Duda has endorsed Karol Nawrocki, supported by the ex-ruling party, the socially-conservative Law and Justice (PiS), as his preferred choice to lead the country.
"I have my preferences, and I've always had my views — I've never concealed them," Duda said on Wednesday in an interview for the Kanal Zero YouTube channel." He made it clear which candidate aligns most with his views by declaring that Nawrocki was "closest to his heart."
Currently serving as the head of the Institute of National Remembrance and emerging as a leading presidential contender, Nawrocki does not belong to any political party but has secured PiS as his key backer. Based on multiple opinion surveys carried out by Polish media in late 2024 and early 2025, he is in very close competition with Poland's second most favoured candidate, the centre-right Rafal Trzaskowski from the ruling Civic Coalition (KO).
With elections set for May, Duda has only a few months remaining in his second and final term as the nation's leader. When discussing his aspirations following his presidency, the politician expressed that he does not believe he possesses the skills "necessary to lead any political party." Nevertheless, he mentioned that he could serve as a patron for one of the political factions.
The president asserted that he harboured no regrets regarding the challenging decisions he made throughout his two terms, although he acknowledged that certain less significant ones "could have been better." (PAP)
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