Tens of thousands join rival rallies in Warsaw as Poland's presidential runoff nears

Tens of thousands of Poles took part in dueling patriotic marches in Warsaw on Sunday, led by the two men vying for the presidency in a June 1 runoff election which is expected to be both close and consequential for the nation’s future. During a speech to a huge crowd Trzaskowski laid out his vision for a Poland that is inclusive and vowed to work to help develop Polish industry as the nation continues an economic transformation into a regional economic and military power. In their view, those alliances are vital to Poland’s security, especially in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine and fears that a victorious Russia could seek to reassert control over parts of Central and Eastern Europe.