Karol Nawrocki was sworn in as the President of the Republic of Poland on Wednesday morning during a formal ceremony at the Sejm, marking the official start of his first term in office.
The ceremony, held shortly after 10 a.m. local time, drew members of both houses of parliament, senior government officials, and representatives of Poland’s judiciary and armed forces. Supporters of Nawrocki had gathered outside the Sejm from the early morning hours, chanting in support of the new head of state.
Nawrocki takes over from Andrzej Duda, whose second and final term concluded this week. In his final address on Tuesday evening, Duda pledged to remain active in public and international life following his departure from the presidency.
A Historian Turned President
Karol Nawrocki, aged 42, previously served as President of the Institute of National Remembrance (Instytut Pamięci Narodowej – IPN), an institution tasked with investigating historical crimes committed against the Polish nation. He has held various roles in the field of public history and national commemoration. Nawrocki’s presidency represents a shift in tone from his predecessor, although his political orientation remains closely aligned with conservative-national circles.
His successful candidacy was supported by the ruling Law and Justice party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość – PiS), which continues to wield influence despite recent parliamentary challenges and the emergence of a more fragmented Sejm. During the campaign, Nawrocki emphasised themes of national memory, sovereignty, and continuity with Poland’s post-2015 political course.
Ceremonial and Constitutional Role
As President, Nawrocki assumes a largely ceremonial role but retains key constitutional powers, including the ability to veto legislation, appoint judges, and command the armed forces. His position will therefore remain significant in the ongoing balance between Poland’s executive and legislative branches.
Observers expect Nawrocki to exercise his prerogatives in support of the conservative bloc, although his initial remarks after the swearing-in focused on unity, civic responsibility, and the Polish state’s historical continuity.
Duda’s Departure
Andrzej Duda, who was first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2020, served two full five-year terms. His presidency was marked by polarising domestic reforms, especially concerning the judiciary and media regulation, as well as assertive positions in foreign policy. Throughout his tenure, Duda maintained close alignment with the United States and actively supported Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
In his final televised speech on Tuesday evening, Duda thanked Poles for their support over the past decade and committed to continuing his public engagements both domestically and internationally. His post-presidency activities are expected to include work with transatlantic institutions and public speaking on European security matters.
Domestic and International Outlook
Nawrocki’s assumption of the presidency comes at a time of heightened domestic political complexity. The Polish government faces ongoing disputes with the European Commission over judicial independence and rule-of-law matters. The new president’s stance on these issues will be closely scrutinised in Brussels.
Internationally, Nawrocki inherits a diplomatic landscape shaped by Poland’s active role in NATO and support for Ukraine. His early foreign engagements are expected to include meetings with regional leaders and participation in the upcoming Three Seas Initiative summit, where Poland seeks to consolidate influence among Central and Eastern European states.
Reaction
Initial reactions from political figures were cautious. The Speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, welcomed Nawrocki and expressed hope for constructive cooperation between parliament and the presidency.
Nawrocki’s inauguration represented a significant setback for Prime Minister Tusk’s pro‑European agenda, warning that his veto power may derail legislative reforms and signalling increased political deadlock. Tusk responded by reshuffling his cabinet into a so‑called ‘war cabinet’ to fortify his government’s reform path.
