Centrist takes first round of Poland’s presidential election, to face nationalist in runoff vote

2 min read Duda, KO, Nawrocki, PiS, Trzaskowski, Tusk, EU, Poland, Politics, V4 & Romania

Centrist Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski narrowly won in the first round of Poland’s presidential election, setting up a closely contested runoff on 1 June. With 99.75% of votes counted, Trzaskowski, backed by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist Civic Coalition (KO) secured 31.3% on 18 May

Poland, Czechia back 'coalition of the willing', Hungary, Slovakia align with Trump

5 min read Analysis, Balkan countries, Baltic countries, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Defence, Eastern Europe, Economy, Energy, Estonia, EU, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Politics, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine, V4 & Romania, Babis, cez, Coalition of the Willing, Duda, Fiala, Fico, Gazprom, Mentzen, NATO, Nawrocki, Orban, Pavel, Peter Magyar, Putin, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, Starmer, Trump, Trzaskowski, Tusk, UN, Vance, Vucic

As political landscapes shift across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), governments are recalibrating their approaches to Ukraine, European security, and internal governance. The region remains split between pro-European integration and nationalist, often pro-Kremlin, forces: Czechia and Poland reinforce their commitments to Ukraine, while Hungary and Slovakia align with Moscow. Meanwhile,

Polish presidential candidates begin election drive

2 min read Poland, Politics, Duda, Mentzen, Trzaskowski, Tusk

Poland’s presidential election campaign has officially begun, ahead of a pivotal vote for the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) country on 18 May. Victory for the ruling Civic Coalition (KO), led by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk would remove an important obstacle, as heads of state can veto legislation