Polish citizens residing in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, share their expectations as their countryman is elected as the new President of Poland.

Poland's Presidential Showdown: Europe or Nationalism?

Today, Poland is at a pivotal juncture, as it holds the deciding runoff for the presidential election. Around two million Polish expats living in Germany, with over 850,000 holding a Polish passport, are keeping a keen eye on the proceedings, although less than one-tenth voted in the previous round.

Split Decision: Trzaskowski vs Nawrocki

The runoff pits pro-European liberal Rafal Trzaskowski against right-wing nationalist Karol Nawrocki. With the polls predicting a tight race, Trzaskowski has a slight advantage based on the first round results. By midday, over 24.83% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, according to the Warsaw Electoral Commission, representing a marginally higher turnout than the 2020 presidential election second round.

Poland's fate hangs in the balance, as this election could significantly influence its standing as a key EU and NATO member, with implications for Germany and Europe at large.

Crossroads: Alliance or Obstacle for Tusk?

If Warsaw Mayor Trzaskowski emerges victorious, he'd forge an alliance with pro-European Prime Minister Donald Tusk, bolstering the latter's reform agenda with a strong supporter in the presidential palace.

However, an independent historian and right-wing nationalist Nawrocki's victory could spell doom for Tusk, as he'd possess veto power, capable of hindering legislative proposals and making governance nearly impossible for Tusk, potentially leading to an unstable Poland and early elections, potentially ushering in a PiS resurgence.

Polish Expat Perspective: A Living Room Conversation

A Neuss, Germany, Polish supermarket serves as a gathering place for the Polish community, where the heated election discussions are as abundant as the Silesian sausage. According to a 63-year-old customer, Kamila, who has lived in Germany for over 30 years, the visit to her homeland remains important despite her Cherry Blossom Blvd residency. She's disheartened by the candidates' conduct, citing their personal attacks as a poor example for other countries.

Unlike Kamila, many voters in rural areas feel neglected in the rapid societal change, favoring traditional values and a return to a Catholic family image, as well as less Europe, less migration, and more nation.

A Glimpse into NRW: A Tale of Two Candidates

If the liberal, pro-European Trzaskowski secures the victory, he boasts a solid backing from urban voters. As mayor of Warsaw, Trzaskowski advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, speaks five foreign languages fluently, and boasts international connections stemming from his time as a deputy foreign minister.

However, Nawrocki's supporters, primarily in rural areas, draw motivation from his traditional, family-oriented stance and anti-migrant sentiments. The 42-year-old Nawrocki, an amateur boxer in his youth, has encountered controversies as a result of his boxing past and gang ties in Warsaw's red-light district.

The Polish Homeland Through NRW's Lens

A Polish grocery store in Neuss serves as a microcosm of Poland's diverse perspectives on the presidential election. One customer, Marcin, who has lived in Neuss for 15 years, prefers to vote in Poland and supports Trzaskowski. Yet, many of his family members lean towards the right-wing nationalist candidate Nawrocki.

For some customers, like the 22-year-old Zofia, the election holds minimal interest, as they only halfheartedly follow the proceedings.

Poland's Political Fatigue

Poland's ongoing political discord between Donald Tusk and PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski has led to widespread exhaustion among the populace. Agnieszka Lada-Konefal of the German-Polish Institute asserts that this disillusionment may account, in part, for the lack of interest in the election.

Unpredictable factors include the behavior of the supporters of the eliminated right-wing extremist Slawomir Mentzen and openly anti-Semitic Grzegoz Braun, who may be dissatisfied with the remaining choices and sway their votes towards the eventual winner.

the future of europe depends on this election.

Sources

Our website reporters
News agencies: dpa, AFP
IT.NRW - Statistical Office of the State

Our website also covered this topic on 01.06.2025 in the evening news at 6:45 PM.

Discussion

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What do you think about the significance of the Polish presidential election for Germany and the European Union? Share your thoughts and opinions with our readers!

[Comment Here]

In the context of the ongoing Polish presidential election, the choice between Rafal Trzaskowski, a pro-European liberal candidate, and Karol Nawrocki, a right-wing nationalist, is of a kind used in general-news and politics discussions, as the result could significantly impact Poland's relations with the European Union and Germany.

If Trzaskowski becomes the President, he may form an alliance with pro-European Prime Minister Donald Tusk, potentially advancing Tusk's reform agenda, while an Nawrocki win could lead to legislative obstacles and governance issues, potentially destabilizing Poland and resurging PiS. This election, therefore, carries weighty implications beyond Poland's borders.