Warsaw, Poland - Poles began voting in a decisive presidential runoff that could set the schedule for the country’s political future and its relations with the EU.

The match puts Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, a liberal pro-EU figure against the conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, who is backed by the right-wing legal and judicial party.

The result will determine whether Poland continues along the nationalist path or more decisively stimulates liberal democratic norms. Conservative President Andrzej Duda completes his second and final term, and the new president will have a significant impact on whether Donald Tusk's centrist government can fulfill its intermediary agenda, given the president's veto law.

Voting begins at 7 a.m. local time and will end at 9 p.m. with IPSOS expected to exit the poll. The final result may be announced Monday. Runoff is after the first round of the race held on May 18, with Trzaskowski winning over 31%, while Nawrocki nearly 30%, eliminating the other 11 candidates.

The movement highlights the gap in Stark's ideology. Trzaskowski, 53, has committed to restoring judicial independence, simplifying abortion restrictions and promoting constructive links with European partners. Nawrocki, 42, positioned himself as a defender of traditional Polish values, was skeptical of the EU and aligned with American conservatives, including President Donald Trump.

Nawrocki's candidacy covers allegations of connections with criminal figures and involvement in violent street fighting. He denied criminal connections but admitted to participating in the "noble" battle. These revelations did not seem to have brought his support among the right-wing voters to curb his support, many of whom believed the allegations were politically motivated.

Amid security concerns, there are fears over Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine, and both candidates support aid to Kiev, although Navoroki opposes NATO’s Ukrainian membership, which Trzaskowski supports in the future.

Nawrocki's campaign responds to popular themes on U.S. rights, including the emphasis on traditional values. His supporters believe Trzaskowski's pro-EU view would hand over control of key Poland's affairs to larger European powers such as France and Germany.

Many Eurocentrists are taking root in Trzaskowski, seeing people who will defend democratic values ​​under pressure from global authoritarian forces.