WARSAW, Aug 6, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Poland's new nationalist president Karol 
Nawrocki called for a "sovereign Poland" and promised to "fight those who are 
pushing the nation towards decline" as he was sworn in on Wednesday.

Nawrocki, 42, a supporter of US President Donald Trump, won a June 1 election 
in a major blow for the pro-EU government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a 
former European Council president.

"I will be the voice of those who want a sovereign Poland that is in the EU, 
but a Poland that is not the EU," he told lawmakers after taking his oath of 
office.

"We must fight those who are pushing the nation towards decline and 
degradation," he said, citing Ignacy Paderewski, a Polish prime minister from 
the early 20th century.

Nawrocki, a historian and political novice, has branded Tusk's government the 
"worst" in the history of post-communist Poland.

- 'He doesn't grovel' -

Outside the parliament, thousands of people came to show their support for 
Nawrocki.

"He doesn't grovel before Brussels," Jan Smolinski, 75, a retired miner, told 
AFP, adding: "He's a true Pole, flesh and blood".

Marietta Borcz, a 57-year-old dental assistant, said it was "important" to 
her that Nawrocki "is Catholic and will uphold Christian values".

During the election campaign, Nawrocki ruled out easing Poland's near total 
abortion ban or allowing same-sex civil partnerships.

A small group of around 20 protesters held up black roses, saying Nawrocki's 
inauguration was "a black day for Poland".

Stanislawa Sklodowska, 72, a retired economist said his election "reflects 
poorly on us Poles".

Nawrocki, who travelled to Washington to seek Trump's backing during the 
campaign, won a narrow victory against liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski.

The result showed the high degree of political polarisation in the EU and 
NATO member state, a key supporter of neighbouring Ukraine.

Presidents in Poland can initiate as well as veto legislation, and have some 
influence over the country's foreign and defence policies.

- 'Annoy us' -

Relations between government and president are likely to be tense ahead of 
parliamentary elections planned for 2027.

"I have no doubt that Mr Nawrocki will do everything to annoy us," said Tusk, 
who warned that he would not let Nawrocki "demolish" his government.

But in a message on social media on Wednesday, Tusk said he had already 
worked with three presidents in the past.

"What will it be like with the fourth? We'll manage," he wrote.

Nawrocki has promised to be "an active president" from the start and has said 
he wants to "stimulate" the government with various bills.

The government holds a parliamentary majority and analysts say the two sides 
may be forced to make some compromises.

"Both parties should realise that engaging in intense confrontation is 
obviously not the way forward," said Piotr Trudnowski, a member of Klub 
Jagiellonski, a Christian-Democrat think tank.

- 'Poland First, Poles First' -

Ewa Marciniak, a political scientist at the University of Warsaw, said that 
Nawrocki would have to work with the government on foreign policy -- in which 
he has "no experience".

During the election campaign, he highlighted the importance of ties with the 
United States and his close ties with Trump.

"It is precisely from this that he will build his foreign policy, at least 
initially," Marciniak said.

One major difference could be relations with Ukraine.

Trudnowski said Nawrocki would "not be as enthusiastic" as his predecessor 
Andrzej Duda on Ukraine.

During his campaign, Nawrocki opposed the idea of NATO membership for Ukraine 
and criticised Kyiv for not having "shown gratitude for what the Poles have 
done".

Under his slogan "Poland First, Poles First", he was critical of some of the 
benefits received by the more than one million Ukrainians who have fled to 
the country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Nawrocki and 
emphasised the importance of close ties with Poland -- a vital transit 
country for military and humanitarian supplies to his country as it fights 
off Russia's invasion.

After speaking to Nawrocki by phone last week, Zelensky said the two had 
agreed to visit each other and seek forms of cooperation "that will bring 
real results for both our countries and our people".

Zelensky said he was "thankful for the readiness to work together and for the 
assurance of continued support for Ukraine".