Poland’s political landscape has shifted dramatically this August, with the swearing-in of Karol Nawrocki as president and a flurry of legislative initiatives that signal both domestic and international ambitions. Nawrocki, a 42-year-old historian with no formal party affiliation but close ties to the right-wing opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), took office on August 6, 2025, after a hard-fought run-off election that saw him defeat the pro-European government candidate. His victory was hailed as a significant setback for Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the ruling coalition, according to Keystone-SDA.
Within days of his inauguration, Nawrocki wasted no time in moving forward with campaign promises. On August 7, he presented a bill to parliament proposing a major tax break for parents of two or more children, raising the income threshold for untaxed earnings from 30,000 zloty (about €7,075) to 140,000 zloty (about €33,015) per year per parent. For families, this could mean up to 280,000 zloty in untaxed income annually. The relief would be available for parents with children up to 18 years old, or up to 25 if they are still in education and not earning money themselves. As Nawrocki put it at a public event in Krąpiel, northwest Poland, "Financial resources must be found for Polish families." He stressed that the measure was not just a campaign promise but "my obligation to the continued existence of Poland and the independence of the Polish state," referencing the country’s record-low fertility rate, which dropped to 1.1 in 2024, one of the lowest in the world, as reported by Notes from Poland.
The following day, Nawrocki introduced another bill aimed squarely at protecting Polish farmers. This legislation seeks to extend restrictions on foreign ownership of agricultural land for another decade, until 2036, and to shield Polish agriculture from imports, particularly from Ukraine and South America. The bill also calls for preventing the abolition of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, which provides vital subsidies, and for maintaining Poland’s own state support for agriculture. Nawrocki argued that "Polish land should be in the hands of Polish farmers! This is crucial for our food security." He made a pointed appeal to all parliamentary groups and the government to back his initiative, despite the legislative hurdles ahead given his opposition alignment and the ruling coalition’s majority in parliament.
Reactions from the government were swift and critical. Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, leader of the agrarian Polish People’s Party (PSL), countered that the current administration had already significantly reduced Ukrainian agricultural imports and curtailed sales of land to foreigners. He cited figures showing that under the previous PiS government, agricultural and forest land sold to foreigners surged from 412 hectares in 2015 to 5,119 hectares in 2022, but fell sharply to 1,276 hectares in 2024, the first full year under the new government. Kosiniak-Kamysz declared, "It was our government that halted the uncontrolled influx of agricultural products from Ukraine," and accused Nawrocki of being misled on the issue of agriculture. Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski echoed this sentiment, stating, "There’s no need for the additional provisions proposed by Nawrocki," and expressing hope that the president would instead support the government’s existing efforts to aid Polish farmers.
Underlying these domestic debates is a broader anxiety about Poland’s place in Europe and the world. Nawrocki’s bills reflect a skepticism toward EU trade agreements—especially the proposed deal with the South American Mercosur bloc, which Polish farmers have protested, fearing it would undercut their livelihoods. Prime Minister Tusk has already declared Poland’s opposition to the Mercosur agreement in its current form, a stance shared by France and other EU nations.
Yet it is on the international stage that Nawrocki’s presidency may have its most immediate impact. On the day of his swearing-in, US President Donald Trump sent a congratulatory letter inviting Nawrocki to the White House for a working visit on September 3, 2025. This will be Nawrocki’s first trip abroad as president and his second meeting with Trump, following a high-profile Oval Office encounter during the Polish presidential campaign in May. According to Notes from Poland and Keystone-SDA, the invitation is seen as both a diplomatic gesture and a signal of the close ties between the two leaders—both Trump supporters and EU skeptics.
The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on deepening bilateral relations, security cooperation, and NATO commitments. With the ongoing war in Ukraine and persistent security concerns along the Belarusian border, these issues are more than symbolic. During the campaign, both Nawrocki and his opponent pledged to strengthen transatlantic ties, each claiming they could best guarantee Poland’s security in a volatile region. Nawrocki’s May visit to Chicago to meet with the Polish diaspora and his attendance at the National Day of Prayer event in Washington underscored his intent to prioritize relations with the United States.
American officials have reciprocated the warmth. A US delegation led by Kelly Loeffler, head of the Small Business Administration, attended Nawrocki’s inauguration, presenting him with a sculpture of an eagle—an emblem of the enduring partnership between the two nations. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth described Poland as a "model NATO ally," while Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote, "Poland and the United States stand together as partners in building a safer and more prosperous future for our peoples." He added, "Our shared future has never looked brighter."
However, Polish public opinion on the United States is nuanced. While a March 2025 survey for Polityka magazine found that 85% of Poles acknowledge America’s military might, only 20% believe the US has a positive influence on world affairs—a record low, according to state research institution CBOS. Just 31% of Poles rate bilateral relations as "good," the lowest level since the fall of communism. These mixed feelings reflect both admiration for US security guarantees and wariness about American influence in global and regional politics.
Former Polish leaders have voiced strong support for the US alliance. In March, former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told Euronews, "Without the Americans, it is difficult to imagine a lasting peace, and yet we all strive for it." Outgoing President Andrzej Duda echoed this view, saying, "There is no one but the United States who can stop Putin." Both expressed hope that Trump’s determination could help end the war in Ukraine, highlighting the stakes of Nawrocki’s upcoming visit.
As Nawrocki embarks on his presidency, his ambitious legislative agenda and overtures to Washington set the stage for a period of both domestic contestation and heightened international engagement. The coming months will reveal whether he can bridge Poland’s deep political divides and leverage his US ties to navigate a Europe in flux.