Andrzej Duda

Andrzej Duda
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Name	Andrzej Duda
Caption	Duda in 2020
Office	President of Poland
Term start	6 August 2015
Predecessor	Bronisław Komorowski
Primeminister	Ewa Kopacz, Beata Szydło, Mateusz Morawiecki, Donald Tusk
Office2	Member of the Sejm
Term start2	25 September 2005
Term end2	23 July 2014
Constituency2	Kraków
Party	Law and Justice (2005–2015), Independent (2015–present)
Spouse	Agata Kornhauser-Duda
Children	Kinga
Alma mater	Jagiellonian University
Birth date	16 May 1972
Birth place	Kraków, Polish People's Republic

Andrzej Duda is the sixth and current President of Poland, having assumed the office on 6 August 2015 after winning the 2015 Polish presidential election. A lawyer by training and a former member of the Sejm and the European Parliament, his presidency has been closely aligned with the national-conservative Law and Justice party, overseeing a period of significant political and judicial reform. Duda's tenure has been marked by both domestic controversy over the rule of law and an active foreign policy stance, particularly regarding Russia and support for Ukraine.

Early life and education

Andrzej Duda was born on 16 May 1972 in Kraków, then part of the Polish People's Republic. His father, Jan Duda, was a professor of technology and a member of the Solidarity movement, while his mother, Janina Milewska-Duda, was a chemistry professor at the AGH University of Science and Technology. He attended the Jan III Sobieski High School in Kraków before enrolling at the Jagiellonian University's Faculty of Law and Administration, graduating in 1997. During his studies, he was active in the Independent Students' Association and later earned a doctoral degree in law from his alma mater in 2005, having worked as an academic assistant at the Jagiellonian University's Department of Administrative Law.

Political career

Duda's political career began within the Freedom Union before he joined the newly formed Law and Justice party in 2005. That same year, he was elected to the Sejm representing the Kraków constituency, where he served on the Justice and Human Rights Committee. He held various governmental roles, including Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Justice and later in the Chancellery of the President of Poland under President Lech Kaczyński. Following Kaczyński's death in the Smolensk air disaster, Duda was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defence. In 2014, he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, but resigned shortly after to launch his successful campaign for the President of Poland.

Presidency

Andrzej Duda won the 2015 Polish presidential election, defeating incumbent Bronisław Komorowski in a runoff. His inauguration on 6 August 2015 preceded the parliamentary victory of Law and Justice later that year, creating a unique period of aligned executive and legislative power. A defining feature of his first term was his signing of controversial judicial reforms proposed by the Sejm, which triggered ongoing disputes with the European Union over the rule of law. He was re-elected in the 2020 Polish presidential election, narrowly defeating Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski of the Civic Platform party. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Duda adopted a strongly supportive stance for Ukraine, positioning Poland as a key regional ally and advocating for increased NATO presence in Eastern Europe.

Political positions and public image

Duda's political positions are firmly rooted in social conservatism and national sovereignty. He has advocated for traditional family values, opposing same-sex marriage and supporting policies like the Family 500+ program. His alignment with Law and Justice has seen him support significant changes to the Constitutional Tribunal and the National Council of the Judiciary, drawing criticism from the European Commission and prompting Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union proceedings. Domestically, he is a polarizing figure, praised by supporters for his defense of Polish interests and criticized by opponents for undermining democratic checks and balances. Internationally, he is viewed as a staunch transatlanticist and a hawk on security issues concerning Russia.

Personal life

Andrzej Duda is married to Agata Kornhauser-Duda, a German language teacher who serves as the First Lady of Poland. They have one daughter, Kinga, who is a lawyer. The family resides at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw but maintains strong ties to their hometown of Kraków. Duda is a practicing Roman Catholic and an avid mountain hiker, frequently visiting the Tatra Mountains. He is also a fan of the football club Wisła Kraków.

Category:Presidents of Poland Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Law and Justice politicians