Karol Nawrocki, a right-wing nationalist backed by the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, has won Poland's presidential election.
According to Poland's National Election Commission, Nawrocki garnered 50.89% of the vote in the second round of the 1 June election, narrowly defeating his liberal rival, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.
Tshaskowski received 49.11% of the vote, the Kyiv Independent reports.
The closely watched election was widely seen as a turning point in Poland's political trajectory, including its approach to Polish-Ukrainian relations.
Nawrocki, known for adopting a "Trumpian" style of politics, has been criticized for parroting pro-Russian narratives over his opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership.
Earlier in the night, Poland's election was declared "too close", with exit polls showing Trzaskowski and Nawrocki almost tied.
Early polls showed Tshaskowski with a small lead, while more recent polls have turned the results in Nawrocki's favour.
Tshaskovsky, whose campaign was based on support for Prime Minister Donald Tusk's democratic reforms, was the first to declare victory after initial exit polls showed he would win by a narrow margin.
The Ipsos exit poll for the Polsat television company showed Tshaskowski of the ruling centrist Civic Coalition (CC) party winning by a narrow margin of 50.3%.
"We won," Tshaskowski told party members after the first exit poll results were released.
"I will unite people, I will be constructive, I will be a president for all Poles. I will be your president," he added.
Later, however, the results reversed and showed Nawrocki with a small lead of 50.7%. In his speech to his supporters, Nawrocki also declared victory.
Although Poland has a parliamentary system in which the president's power is largely ceremonial, the Polish president can still veto laws proposed by parliament.
In addition, the president plays a key role in foreign affairs and is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. | BGNES