Last Sunday, Poles voted in the first round of presidential elections. Leading were Rafał Trzaskowski, mayor of Warsaw and candidate of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Platform, and Karol Nawrocki of the conservative Law and Justice party. A runoff is set for 1 June.
The race highlights Poland’s deep divisions. And this also has something to do with the right to abortion. Despite Tusk’s 2023 promise to restore abortion rights within 100 days, the near-total ban remains. Reform attempts failed due to internal opposition and President Duda’s veto power. Many women, crucial to Civic Platform’s 2023 victory, feel betrayed. A Trzaskowski win could revive reform hopes; a Nawrocki win would likely block them. Feminist groups now wait to see if promises turn into action.
Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.
Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.
