Opposition-backed challenger Rafał Trzaskowski congratulated incumbent conservative President Andrzej Duda yesterday afternoon after the latter narrowly secured another five-year term in Sunday’s election.
With 99.99 percent of ballots counted, Duda had 51.08 percent of the vote, while Trzaskowski had 48.92 percent, according to figures released Monday afternoon by the National Electoral Commission (PKW).

In his victory speech, Duda acknowledged that it had been “a very sharp campaign, probably too sharp at times.” He went on to ask for forgiveness “if anyone is offended by my words” and urged Poles to come together and “give me the chance to improve in the next five years.”

“This is just the beginning of the road,” Trazaskowski promised supporters in his concession speech, going on to reiterate his commitment to continue fighting for an open, tolerant Poland.

Source: Radio Poland, PAP

Record turnout in Poland and abroad

The State Electoral Commission announced yesterday that participation in Sunday’s presidential runoff election was over 68 percent, the second highest turnout since Poland’s first, partially free elections in 1989.

The region of Pomerania had the second-highest turnout of any region in Poland, with just over 70 (70.04) percent, second only to the Mazowieckie voivodeship at 71.51 percent. Within Pomerania, the Puck powiat had the highest turnout with 78.38 percent participation.

Residents of cities in Pomerania also voted more than those in villages, an average of 71.72 percent to 67.14 percent, while the town of Krynica Morska again boasted the highest turnout in the region at 88.53 percent.

Some of the increase in turnout was driven by Poles voting from abroad, with record-breaking half-million overseas voters registered to vote in the second round of the election. The increase in numbers was partially due to some 140,000 more voters registering to vote after the first round, in which turnout abroad was over 83 (83.14) percent.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, PAP, PolandIN

Lithuanian PM to receive Polish honor

Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis is in Warsaw today for talks on increasing cooperation between his country and Poland at the bilateral, regional and international levels.

The Lithuanian premier is also set to receive one of Poland’s highest state decorations — the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland–in recognition of his efforts to strengthen dialogue between the two countries.

Skvernelis will meet with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki later this afternoon before receiving his award from President Andzrej Duda.

Accused arsonist faces up to 10 years

A 32-year-old Ukrainian woman suspected of setting fire to Galeria Przymorze in Gdańsk Zaspa was in court yesterday on charges of extortion and arson.

The fire broke out last Wednesday at around 3:00 am. after the suspect allegedly poured gasoline on the front door and then lit it on fire. The resulting blaze triggered an interior fire suppression system which flooded the ground floor of the shopping mall, causing damage estimated at nearly half a million złoty.

The woman is also accused of attempting to steal goods from one of the stores in Galeria Przymorze, and using threats and violence during a resulting altercation with a security guard.

If convicted, the woman faces up to 10 years in prison.

Source: Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be partly cloudy and warm with a gentle breeze coming in from the east and very little chance of rain. Temperatures will peak around a high of 21°C, or 70°F, dropping overnight to 12°C or 54°F. Things will warm up tomorrow morning, with rain showers expected to begin tomorrow evening and continue on into Thursday.

RGEN/EP