Power Shift in Polish Elections: Women and Youth Drive PiS Out

On Monday, Szymon Szumniak joined hundreds of people in a long queue at Wroclaw Polling Station No 148 in Poland to vote in the parliamentary election. Despite the freezing temperatures and the fact that the polls should have closed hours earlier, Szumniak persevered. The long queue at this polling station became symbolic of the high voter turnout, which reached a record high of over 74%, resulting in the right-wing Law and Justice party, or PiS, losing power. Szumniak, an entertainment blogger, spoke of the incredible hospitality shown by residents in the area, as they provided blankets, hot tea, and cookies to those waiting in line. The queue turned into a memorable experience, with moments like a group of women breaking into song and a local pizza company delivering free food. The abundance of donations received by the pizza company prompted them to redirect the funds to charity. The increase in young voter turnout was particularly notable, with polls showing that 68.8% of voters under 29 participated in the election compared to 46.4% in 2019. This surge in young voters contributed to the overall change in the political landscape. Wroclaw's Jagodno suburb, where the long queue formed, had a predominantly young population. Here, the opposition Civic Coalition won 43.6% of the vote, while PiS received only 5.9%. The major political parties did not prioritize the youth vote during the campaign, and instead focused on negative tactics. However, the message of change resonated with younger voters who were eager for a different political direction. The election result had a profound impact on many citizens. Students at the University library in Warsaw anxiously followed the updates on their phones. One voter named Marta cried with excitement when the first exit poll indicated PiS's loss of majority. Another voter named Rose expressed overwhelming joy as she felt the election marked a critical moment for democracy. The election also presented an opportunity to address important issues such as the role of women in politics and the restrictive abortion laws. Social media campaigns urged strategic voting and encouraged citizens to move their registration from major cities to smaller towns where their votes would carry more weight. The chance to give women a larger voice in Polish politics was also a significant motivator, particularly after protests in 2020 against near-bans on abortion. With the election over, the focus now shifts to forming a new government and addressing pressing issues, including abortion rights. The Civic Coalition and Left parties have promised to overturn tight restrictions and allow terminations on demand up to 12 weeks. Activists who played a crucial role in the election are now urging the new government to follow through on their promises. As Poland moves forward, the voters' message to the elected officials is clear: "Don't mess it up."