Poles vote in presidential election that could define EU relations

Record ID: 1561934

  • Title: Poles vote in presidential election that could define EU relations
  • Date: 12th July 2020
  • Summary: WARSAW, POLAND (JULY 12, 2020) (REUTERS) PEOPLE, WEARING FACE MASKS, ENTERING POLLING STATION VOTERS REGISTERING WITH ELECTION WORKERS/PEOPLE QUEUING VOTERS CASTING VOTES IN GLASS BOX VOTERS REGISTERING, FILLING IN BALLOTS AND CASTING VOTES/MORE VOTERS ARRIVING MAN CASTING VOTE IN GLASS BOX ELDERLY WOMAN REGISTERING, RECEIVING BALLOT FROM ELECTION WORKER / ANOTHER WOMAN ARRIVING AT REGISTERING COUNTER VOTERS QUEUING/ELDERLY WOMAN CASTING VOTE IN GLASS BOX VOTERS QUEUING AND REGISTERING/WOMAN CASTING VOTE IN GLASS BOX
  • Embargoed: 26th July 2020 06:24
  • Keywords: Duda Andrzej European Union Law and Justice PiS Poland election Rafal Trzaskowski Warsaw Mayor
  • Location: WARSAW, POLAND
  • City: WARSAW, POLAND
  • Country: Poland
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001CMI7OZR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Poles voted on Sunday (July 12) in a knife-edge presidential election that may shape the country's future relations with the European Union, which have been frayed by the bloc's concerns over the rule of law.
    Incumbent Andrzej Duda, an ally of the ruling nationalists Law and Justice (PiS), takes on liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski after a campaign that has shown sharply contrasting visions for the future and exposed deep political divisions.
    Duda's re-election is crucial if PiS is to deepen judicial reforms that the European Union says increase political control over the courts.
    The president holds the power of veto and Trzaskowski has said he will block legislation that he believes would undermine democratic norms.
    Given that Poland's president holds few executive powers, it is unlikely Trzaskowski could bring about significant change if he won. But with the presidency as well as the upper house of parliament in opposition hands, PiS's ability to implement its agenda would be hampered.
    The election is a run-off after a first round on June 28. Polling stations opened at 0500 GMT and will close at 1900 GMT, at which point the results of an exit poll will be announced.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register