Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes Liberal tides, populist currents: Elections in Poland and Romania
May 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Piotr Buras, the head of ECFR’s Warsaw office, shares his expertise on the recent elections in Poland and Romania. He highlights the surprising victory of Romania’s liberal candidate Dan Barna against far-right challenger George Simion. The conversation dives into Poland's tight presidential race between Rafal Trzaskowski and Karol Nawrocki, examining the challenges facing liberalism amidst rising populism. Buras also explores the broader implications for Europe’s political landscape and the potential for liberal resurgence.
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Romania's Liberal Upset
- Romania's liberal candidate Dan Barna unexpectedly defeated the far-right contender George Simion in the runoff election.
- The liberal majority mobilized strongly to oppose the far-right shift, signaling hope for liberal politics in the region.
Poland's Right-Wing Majority
- In Poland, the right-wing bloc gathered a majority of 54% in the first round across multiple candidates.
- This collective right-wing strength challenges the liberal hopeful Rafal Trzaskowski's path to victory.
Trzaskowski's Campaign Challenges
- Trzaskowski's campaign struggled due to his close association with Tusk's unpopular government and a cautious centrist approach.
- He risks failing to mobilize both right-wing and left-wing voters in the crucial runoff vote.