Upset in Poland: New president heralds shift to the right

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski conceded defeat in the county’s presidential election Sunday after an exit poll showed him trailing Andrzej Duda, a previously little-known right-wing politician. If the exit poll is confirmed by official results, which are due Monday, it marks a significant blow to the ruling Civic Platform party ahead of more important parliamentary elections this year. The pro-market and pro-European party has overseen unprecedented growth during its eight years of power but is now being punished by voter disillusion.

Most people have not benefited from the economic change. Poland needs change and Duda is the sign of the change that Poland needs.

Marcin Wolski, a well-known satirist at Law and Justice’s election night

Many Poles say they are fed up with corruption scandals that involved government members, and with the fact that economic growth has not trickled down to many ordinary Poles. Polish presidents have fewer powers than prime ministers and their governments, but the president does represent the nation internationally and helps set a political and moral tone at home.

Europe Duda