After eight years under the ultra-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, Polish citizens sought change in 2023. Their aim was to restore democracy, embrace European values, uphold the rule of law, and secure a prominent role in the European Union. The governing liberal coalition was hailed as a beacon in Europe, demonstrating how unity could counteract populism. However, this vision has faltered.

The electorate has chosen historian Karol Nawrocki, an ultra-nationalist, as their president with a slim victory margin of 50.89% of the votes. This triumph comes at the expense of Warsaw's mayor, the pro-Europe Rafal Trzaskowski, who garnered 49.11%. The difference was a mere 369,591 votes, yet it was enough to undermine the government and cast doubt on Prime Minister Donald Tusk's leadership, both in Poland and the EU.