Today, on 4 April 2025, at 4:00 p.m., the deadline for submitting candidates for the office of president of the Republic of Poland expires. According to the rules, each electoral committee must deliver at least to the State Election Commission (GDPR) 100,000 signatures support that his candidate may be registered.
Current status
So far, PKW has registered 10 candidates, including:
- Sławomir Mentzen – the candidate of the Confederation,
- Grzegorz Braun – a Euro MP excluded from the Confederation,
- Rafał Trzaskowski – president of Warsaw and candidate of the civilian Coalition,
- Artur Bartoszewicz – economist,
- Karol Nawrocki – president of IPN, candidate supported by Law and Justice,
- Adrian Zandberg – MP, organization candidate Together,
- Simon Holovnia – Marshal of the Sejm, candidate of the 3rd Way,
- Marek Woch – candidate for Unpartisan Local Government,
- Joanna Senyszyn – erstwhile SLD MP, economist,
- Magdalena Biejat - Left-wing candidate.
In addition, 4 candidates are awaiting approval by the PKW, which means that their applications are under review.
Registration process: Is it fair?
For a candidate to be registered, his committee must first study to the PCW, which requires a gathering 1 000 signatures support. Subsequently, within 15 days of the registration of the Committee, the aforementioned 100,000 signatures. In practice, this represents a immense logistical and organisational challenge, especially for smaller political groups.
Is democracy threatened?
Critics of the current electoral strategy indicate that advanced signature thresholds favour large political parties, making it hard to launch smaller fresh initiatives. In the 2020 presidential election, although PKW accepted applications from 23 electoral committeesonly 11 candidates was able to meet the formal requirements and compete in the election. This raises questions about equal opportunities and real political pluralism in Poland.
Elections 2025: What awaits us?
The first circular of presidential elections will be held May 18, 2025and the possible second circular was scheduled for June 1, 2025. Citizens will have the chance to decide who will service as head of state for the next 5 years.
Today's deadline is simply a crucial minute in the election process. However, the current formal requirements are controversial and prompt for reflection on the state of Polish democracy. Do the advanced threshold of signatures truly service the common good, or are they a barrier to fresh political forces? The answers to these questions are crucial for the future of our country.
More here:
Today, 4 April is past the deadline for the submission of presidential candidates: is democracy at risk?
