The New Strategy Center publishes a study dedicated to the presidential elections in Poland, which will take place on Sunday, May 18. These elections will also have a significant impact on Poland’s foreign posture, shaping the country’s role and position within the European Union, the evolution of the special relationship between Warsaw and Washington, and Poland’s future stance regarding Ukraine, peace negotiations, and the reconstruction process.
The fluidity of the international environment, marked by unpredictability, is also affecting Poland, which is facing the need to adapt to a new geopolitical context. This context is defined by the recalibration of the United States’ approach to European security, as well as the redefinition of Europe’s military role under the pressure of Russian aggression.
The historical trauma of abandonment and foreign occupation remains present and continues to weigh on the Polish political class. The political profile of the future president will also shape the defining lines of foreign policy, especially in relation to Brussels and Washington. Regardless of who wins the elections, Poland’s determination to stand up to Russia and its political and military support for Ukraine will remain a constant.