Poles vote for new president as security concerns loom large
Warsaw (AP): Poles are voting Sunday in a presidential election at a time of heightened security concerns stemming from the ongoing war in neighbouring Ukraine and growing worry that the US commitment to Europe's security could be weakening under President Donald Trump.
The top two front-runners are Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, a liberal allied with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian with no prior political experience who is supported by the national conservative Law and Justice party.
Recent opinion polls show Trzaskowski with around 30% support and Nawrocki in the mid-20s. A second round between the two is widely expected to take place on June 1.
The election is also a test of the strength of other forces, including the far right.
Slawomir Mentzen, a hard-right candidate who blends populist MAGA rhetoric with libertarian economics and a critical stance toward the European Union, has been polling in third place.
Ten other candidates are also on the ballot. With such a crowded field and a requirement that a candidate receive more than 50% of the vote to win outright, a second round seemed all but inevitable.
Polling stations open at 7 am (0500GMT) and close at 9 pm (1900GMT). Exit polls will be released when voting ends, with results expected by Tuesday, possibly Monday.
Polish authorities have reported attempts at foreign interference during the campaign, including denial-of-service attacks targeting parties in Tusk's coalition on Friday and allegations by a state research institute that political ads on Facebook were funded from abroad.
Although Poland's prime minister and parliament hold primary authority over domestic policy, the presidency carries substantial power. The president serves as commander of the armed forces, plays a role in foreign and security policy, and can veto legislation.
The conservative outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, has repeatedly used that power over more than the past year to hamper Tusk's agenda, for example blocking ambassadorial nominals and vetoing laws, many aimed at reversing judicial and media changes made during Law and Justice's time in power from 201 to late 2023.
A Trzaskowski victory could be expected to end such a standoff. He has pledged to support reforms to the courts and public media, both of which critics say were politicized under Law and Justice.
Nawrocki, who leads a state historical institute, has positioned himself as a defender of conservative values and national sovereignty.
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Bengaluru police debunks viral video claiming ‘zombie drug’; Here’s what they said ?
A viral video claiming the presence of “zombie drugs” in Bengaluru has been debunked following an investigation by the Bangalore City Police.
The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms, showed a man in a disoriented state and was shared with claims that a dangerous new drug had entered the city.
It was reportedly filmed near a college in the Bagalur area, where the individual was seen standing still with little response to his surroundings.
In a release, the police said the video had come to their notice, following which personnel from the Bagalur Police Station traced and secured the individual near Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology.
He was then subjected to a medical examination.
According to the police, medical reports showed that no known narcotic or psychotropic substances were detected.
The police said the individual is suffering from arthritis and had consumed prescribed pain medication along with alcohol, which led to his disoriented condition as seen in the video.
Further inquiry found that the individual had come to Bengaluru in search of livelihood and has been residing in the city for the past three months. Further investigation is ongoing.
The police urged the public not to share unverified or misleading information on social media, stating that such content can create unnecessary panic and harm individuals’ reputation.
They also warned that strict action would be taken against those spreading false information or rumours.
