Urgent: PiS candidate Karol Nawrocki withdraws from the presidential elections in… See more

senting Poland’s conservative Law and Justice party (PiS), has announced his withdrawal from the 2025 presidential election. Nawrocki, who has led the Institute of National Remembrance since 2021, was officially nominated by PiS in November 2024.

His candidacy, however, faced challenges from the outset. President Andrzej Duda, a prominent figure within PiS, reportedly expressed reservations about Nawrocki’s nomination, even forgetting his name during a press conference—a move interpreted by some as deliberate.

Despite initial confidence, with Nawrocki asserting there was “no fear” about reaching the second round and defeating Civic Coalition candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, recent polls indicated a tightening race. Sławomir Mentzen, leader of the far-right Confederation party, showed significant gains, closely trailing Nawrocki.

Nawrocki’s campaign also faced internal challenges. He was questioned about transparency issues related to his role at the Institute of National Remembrance, specifically concerning the disclosure of meeting transcripts. Nawrocki maintained that he was not responsible for withholding information and had “nothing to be ashamed of” regarding the meetings.

The withdrawal of Nawrocki leaves PiS without a presidential candidate just weeks before the election, scheduled for May 18, 2025. This development is expected to significantly impact the party’s strategy and the broader political landscape in Poland. As of now, PiS has not announced a replacement candidate.