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.

In a victory for European conservatives inspired by President Donald Trump, Nawrocki secured 50.89% of the vote, election commission data showed.

Trump-backed conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki narrowly won Poland's presidential runoff election over liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski.