Record-Breaking Turnout: The Polish Presidential Election Rallies Expats in Germany
Mobilization initiated by the Polish Presidency in Germany
Looks like the second round of the Polish presidential election has set the political world abuzz - and not just in Poland! The race between pro-European candidate Rafal Trzaskowski and EU skeptic Karol Nawrocki is so close it could flip Europe's course, and many Poles living in Germany understand the importance of their vote.
A whopping 115,000 Polish citizens based in Germany have registered to cast their votes, hitting an all-time high. That’s way more than the 70,000 who turned up in 2020. Politics in their homeland proved too compelling to ignore.
With around two million Poles with roots in Germany and nearly a million holding dual citizenship, there’s a significant voting block up for grabs. However, unlike those living in Poland, voters abroad can't cast their ballots by mail. They need to make their voices heard by registering in advance via a website or at one of the Polish consulates.
A Pivotal Decision for Poland
For Poland's citizens, this is not just another election - it's a pivotal choice. They can elect either the liberal, pro-European Trzaskowski or the nationalist Nawrocki to lead the country. In the latest polls,Trzaskowski takes a narrow lead, standing at 47.4% of the vote, while Nawrocki falls just behind at 46.3%.
The president of Poland carries some weight with limited powers but is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, sets foreign policy, and has the authority to introduce or veto laws. If Trzaskowski wins, his victory would bolster Prime Minister Donald Tusk's liberal-conservative government and its economic reforms.
On the flip side, a Nawrocki victory might lead to a continuation of obstructionist policies. Outgoing President Andrzej Duda, a strong supporter of Nawrocki, has frequently used his veto power since Tusk entered office. Furthermore, there are concerns that Nawrocki might question Poland's strong support for Ukraine. With eyes glued to the polls, the world awaits the election's outcome.
Polls close at 9 pm local time, and exit poll results are expected to be released immediately. However, a definitive result may not be announced until Monday.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a policy-and-legislation proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks arising from the use of electronic equipment in the context of the record-breaking turnout of Polish expats voting in the general-news-worthy presidential election.
This pivotal decision for Poland, with its implications on policy-and-legislation within the European Union, adds another level of significance to the election beyond its national borders, especially considering the political ramifications of either a pro-European or EU skeptic candidate winning.
