A historian and populist firebrand who boasted about his brawls with soccer hooligans has narrowly won Poland’s presidential election, in a political upset that could torpedo the centrist government’s efforts to unspool the legacy of authoritarianism in the country.

Karol Nawrocki, a right-wing nationalist, flipped exit poll results and defeated Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.

Poland’s ruling coalition sought to turn the page on the crisis sparked by the defeat of its candidate in presidential elections, vowing to rejuvenate the pro-European Union alliance halfway through the parliamentary term.

The West’s political divide hardens. But Poland shows that’s no cause for despair.

Here’s what to know about Poland’s presidential runoff, which sets up a showdown between the governing party and resurgent nationalists.

Poland’s presidential election has come down to a stark ideological choice: a liberal pro-European mayor versus a staunch nationalist conservative.

Irregularities in the second round of Poland's presidential election have been reported, with candidates' results allegedly swapped in some commissions, sparking controversy. View on euronews