Karol Nawrocki sworn in as president of the Republic of Poland. A new chapter with a maritime dimension

Today, before the National Assembly gathered in the plenary hall of the Polish Sejm, Karol Nawrocki took the solemn presidential oath, officially assuming the office of President of the Republic of Poland. The ceremony marked not only a constitutional transition but also the beginning of a presidency with clear strategic ambitions, including a strong emphasis on maritime security and economic development.

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06 august 2025 | 15:15 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

fot. Alicja Stefaniuk / KPRP

In accordance with Article 130 of the Polish Constitution, President Nawrocki declared:

“Assuming, by the will of the Nation, the office of President of the Republic of Poland, I solemnly swear to remain faithful to the provisions of the Constitution, to steadfastly safeguard the dignity of the Nation, the independence and security of the State, and that the good of the Homeland and the prosperity of its citizens shall be for me the highest command.” He concluded with the traditional words: “So help me God.”

The ceremony was attended by outgoing president Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda, former presidents Aleksander Kwaśniewski and Bronisław Komorowski, the speakers of the Sejm and Senate, members of the Council of Ministers, senior judges, religious leaders, foreign diplomats, academics, and representatives of civic and veterans’ organizations.

A strong and sovereign Poland – the president’s first address

In his inaugural speech, President Nawrocki clearly outlined the foundations of his presidency: a sovereign and secure Poland, engaged in European structures yet firmly anchored in its national identity.

I will be the voice of those who want a sovereign Poland. A Poland that is in the European Union, but is not the European Union — it is Poland and it will remain Poland, he stated.

He emphasized investment in education, security, economic development, and modern infrastructure — all as part of a long-term national project rooted in responsibility and civic unity.

Following the address, President Nawrocki paid tribute at memorial plaques in the Sejm commemorating, among others, President Lech Kaczyński, Pope John Paul II, Marshal Maciej Płażyński, MPs killed during World War II, and victims of the 2010 Smolensk air disaster.

Later, addressing crowds gathered outside the parliament building, the president proclaimed:

- This is our shared victory. The victory of a sovereign and independent Poland. A Poland with its own ambitions. And it was you who raised me to this victory!

Orders of state and national prayer

At Warsaw’s Royal Castle, the president formally assumed the title of Grand Master of Poland’s two highest state decorations: the Order of the White Eagle and the Order of Polonia Restituta. By tradition, he now chairs the chapters of both orders and becomes their active custodian.

Earlier in the day, the president and First Lady Marta Nawrocka attended a holy mass for the nation at the Archcathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, where they were warmly welcomed by gathered citizens.

The day concluded with tributes to the presidents of the Republic of Poland in exile — Władysław Raczkiewicz, Stanisław Ostrowski, Edward Raczyński, Kazimierz Sabbat — as well as to President Lech Kaczyński.

A maritime presidency – the president’s vision for the sea

In earlier interviews with Daily Mare — the Polish-language sister publication of Daily Mare — President Karol Nawrocki emphasized that the Baltic Sea will play a strategic role in both the military and economic dimensions of his presidency.

- The military and economic maritime spheres are inseparable. They must support and strengthen one another, he stated.

He pledged to expand the capabilities of the Polish Navy, support the domestic shipbuilding and defense industries, and reinforce coastal security through institutional modernization. The president also committed to strengthening international partnerships and leveraging Poland’s maritime potential in the Baltic region.

Key priorities he identified include:

Boosting the resources and readiness of the Maritime Border Guard (MOSG)
Strengthening and modernizing the Polish Search and Rescue Service (MSPiR SAR)
Investing in seaports, terminals, and critical coastal infrastructure
Supporting the civil and military shipbuilding sectors, including offshore
Securing energy corridors, shipping lanes, and offshore strategic assets

President Nawrocki underscored that “a strong Poland cannot afford to merely look at the Baltic — it must actively protect, develop, and invest in it as a national strategic asset.”

This maritime vision is expected to have far-reaching effects across the sector — from naval modernization and infrastructure development to logistics, port operations, and coastal resilience.

A presidency anchored in sovereignty — and in the Baltic

Karol Nawrocki’s presidency signals a clear strategic turn: toward greater national resilience, investment in key sectors, and a more prominent role for Poland’s maritime domain.

For the Polish maritime industry — from naval shipyards and offshore developers to port authorities and maritime rescue organizations — the new presidency offers opportunities for renewed attention, national support, and deeper integration into long-term strategic planning.