Analysis: Older, conservative rural voters tipped Poland's presidential election to the incumbent Duda

Dave Lawler
Axios
Wed, 15 Jul 2020 18:38 UTC

© Grazyna Marks/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS

Poland's President Andrzej Duda speaks during his election meeting in Solec Kujawski, Poland, June 9, 2020.

President Andrzej Duda was re-elected Sunday in the tightest election in modern Polish history, with 51% of the vote to 49% for Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.

Why it matters: The populist ruling party, Law and Justice, is now expected to press ahead with steps that critics say are eroding the independence of the courts and media, and have brought Poland into conflict with the EU.

© IPSOS/Naema Ahmed/Axios

The election was fought on culture wars. Duda claimed Trza­skowski would allow homosexual "ideology" to take hold in Poland, while the government-aligned state broadcaster warned that Trzaskowski could allow Jew­ish peo­ple to reclaim assets taken during the Holocaust.

Breaking it down: Trzaskowski, a centrist Europhile, dominated in cities, in more affluent western Poland, and among younger voters. Older voters overwhelmingly backed Duda.

Comment: Duda is pursuing a "Poland First" policy. No wonder he did well amongst those who remember both communism and life before the EU.

• Duda narrowly re-elected in Poland in boost for ruling nationalists
• Polish president compares EU membership to occupation: Foreign control, no sovereignty
• "It's unacceptable!" Polish president asks Ukraine to remove Nazis from their government
• Polish president says LGBT ideology worse than communism