Energetic Turnout: Polish Presidential Election Engages Many Poles in Germany
German-based Poles rally in support of their homeland's Presidential election
The pro-European contender and the EU skeptic are neck and neck in polls for the Polish presidential election, which could have considerable consequences for the whole continent. Many Poles in Germany seem to comprehend: Every vote counts.
The second round of the Polish presidential election is generating unusual attention among Poles in Germany: a staggering 115,000 Polish citizens have registered to vote in Germany, the Polish embassy informed the Funke media group upon request. They can cast their ballots at one of 54 polling stations across the country.
This interest is far greater than in the previous presidential election in 2020, when approximately 70,000 Poles registered to vote.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, around two million people of Polish descent reside in Germany, with about 865,000 being Polish citizens. They lack the option to vote by mail: Poles abroad must register in advance—via a website or in person at one of the Polish consulates.
Crucial Election
Poles are faced with a momentous decision in this presidential election: they can opt for either the liberal, pro-European Rafal Trzaskowski or the nationalist, EU-skeptic Karol Nawrocki as the next head of state. In recent polls, Warsaw Mayor Trzaskowski leads narrowly with 47.4% of the votes, ahead of Nawrocki, who is backed by the former ruling party Law and Justice (PiS) and has 46.3%.
The president in Poland holds limited powers but acts as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, shapes foreign policy, and can introduce bills or veto them. A victory for Trzaskowski would further bolster the liberal-conservative Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his economic reforms.
Under Nawrocki, however, a continuation of the blocking policy is expected: outgoing President Andrzej Duda has frequently used his veto power since Tusk’s government took office. Moreover, Nawrocki could potentially question Poland’s strong support for Ukraine.
The polls close at 9 PM. An exit poll result is expected immediately afterwards. However, the final result is likely to be announced on Monday.
Source: ntv.de, chr/AFP
- Poland
- Elections
- Donald Tusk
Further Insights:
- The June 2025 Polish presidential election, ultimately resulting in a narrow win for conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki over liberal Rafał Trzaskowski, stands to have significant effects on Poland's European relationships and internal governance[1][2].
- While the exact votes cast by Polish citizens in Germany do not receive prominence in recent analyses, the issue of Polish expatriate voting—especially among substantial diaspora communities like Germany—holds political importance. Polish expatriates in Germany, eligible to vote in Polish elections, constitute a substantial demographic and can influence close races, given the near proximity of Nawrocki’s victory (50.89% to Trzaskowski’s 49.11%)[1].
- Their votes are often perceived as more likely to favor liberal or pro-EU candidates, mirroring the typically pro-European stance of many Poles residing abroad, particularly in Western Europe. However, this election's outcome suggests that any substantial voting bloc from Germany was not sufficient to move the balance away from the conservative candidate[1].
Wider Implications for Europe:
- Rightward Shift in Polish Politics: Nawrocki’s victory may mark a reinforcement of conservative and nationalist policies in Poland, potentially creating complications for relations with Brussels and other EU member states, especially on migration and environmental policy[1][2].
- Dual Governance Dynamics: The presence of a conservative president alongside a centrist government (led by Donald Tusk) incites a dynamic where the president’s veto power could obstruct or delay legislative changes sought by the government, impacting Poland’s domestic and European agendas[2].
- Diaspora Influence: The Polish diaspora, including those in Germany, continues to play a politically active and vital role. Although their influence in this election appears to have been limited, their participation underscores the significance of expatriate communities in shaping Polish national politics.
The Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks arising from the use of electronic equipment, which could be of interest in light of the high number of Polish citizens participating in the presidential election in Germany. This policy-and-legislation issue intertwines with the political landscape, as the election results could impact relations between the EU and Poland. In the general news, the ongoing presidential election in Poland has garnered considerable attention among Poles in Germany, with a significant increase in voting registrations compared to the previous election in 2020.
