German Poland to the ballot box: record turnout in the presidential election!

German Poland to the ballot box: record turnout in the presidential election!

The crucial days for the Polish presidential election will culminate on May 31, 2025. Voters with Polish roots in Germany have mobilized and are showing increased interest in voting. What is particularly noteworthy is that over 112,000 of them have registered, which represents an increase of a quarter compared to the first round of voting. This development is particularly impressive since only around 80,000 voted in the first round DW reported. 

One of the voters, Ewa, has been in Germany for 40 years, has German citizenship, but decides to vote in Polish elections. She emphasizes the importance of political participation and has been committed to democracy in her home country since 2015. Like Ewa, there are around two million people with Polish roots in Germany, over 850,000 of whom only have a Polish passport. However, these voters must be registered at the consulate to exercise the right to vote, which poses a challenge for many.

The choice and its meaning

The President of Poland is elected directly by the people, an arrangement that is important throughout Europe. How bpb declared, the president's term of office is five years and he can be re-elected once. To win the election, an absolute majority is required, meaning the votes are decisive. This election could have a significant impact on Poland's political direction, especially given international challenges and incumbent President Andrzej Duda's support for Ukraine.

In the current election, Rafal Trzaskowski from the Citizens' Coalition (KO) faces Karol Nawrocki, who enjoys the support of the nationalist PiS party. Trzaskowski won 40.6% of the vote in Germany, while Nawrocki only received 14.5%. Interestingly, right-wing extremist candidates in Germany received a total of 28% of the vote, which shows that the political landscape there is shaped by different currents, such as DW highlights.

Political participation of migrants

The political participation of migrants is a current issue in Germany and beyond. The study by MIPEX shows that Germany occupies an average place compared to other countries when it comes to political civil rights for immigrants. While the recognition of migrant organizations is increasing and there are many municipal representations, local voting rights for third-country nationals remain a minus point.

After all, many voters in Germany are progressive and pro-European, which is reflected in the support for Trzaskowski. It reflects the need to have a voice and to actively shape the political landscape, especially for voters who see themselves as having to vote. These votes could be crucial as pre-runoff polls show the two main candidates tied.

Dana, another voter, decided to vote for the “lesser evil” out of fear of the negative consequences of voting for PiS candidates on the LGBT community. The voters' concerns illustrate how strongly the current political mood in Poland is alive in the hearts of many Polonians. It remains to be seen how the distribution of votes will develop in the coming days.