The presidential election showed the growing political apathy among people 60+

Participation in voting among the oldest voters was the lowest of all age groups and most often they chose the candidates of two main parties – the Batory Foundation pointed out, which published a report entitled “Faithful and discouraged. Presidential elections of older generations”.

In the report about which the Batory Foundation announced on Tuesday, its experts analyzed the preferences and election behavior of older voter groups in the first round of presidential elections of May 18.

“The attendance among the oldest voters was the lowest of all age groups, and those people aged 60+ who went to elections most often voted for candidates supported by the two largest parties. Among the oldest, therefore, two approaches dominated – putting on well -known, dominant, dominant, dominant on the political stage for over two decades of the grouping or election absence” – we read in the report, in which it was also emphasized in the report The elections of the oldest and younger Poles may not only affect the result of the second round, but also the future shape of the political scene and public life in Poland.

Experts explained that their conclusions were based on the results of the Late Poll survey, which IPSOS Polska carried out on May 18. They reminded that the turnout among voters aged 60+, which in this age group was 59.3 percent, was over 13 percent. lower than among voters aged 18–29.

“Let us remind you that in the parliamentary elections in October 2023 67 percent of people aged 60+, just less than the youngest (68.8 percent), went to the urns,” they noted.

The report also emphasized that in the case of voters and electoral 60+ there is talk of the most numerous age group in Polish society. “According to CSO data, there were almost 10 million people at the end of 2024,” experts reminded.

Researchers also pointed to the forecasts of the Central Statistical Office in this area, and they indicate that the population aged 60 and more in 2030 will increase by 3.9 percent. In view of the level of 2023 and will be 10.3 million. At the same time, the population in Poland is to fall to about 36.6 million people (compared to about 37.5 million at the end of 2024), which means that the oldest voters will constitute a significantly higher percentage of society than today.

Experts also pointed out that older voters most often voted for candidates of the two largest parties. “42.5 percent of people aged 60+ and 36.8 percent of people between 50 and 60 years old voted for Rafał Trzaskowski. 45.3 % of votes were voted in the group of 60+, and in the group between 50 and 60 years of age 36.3 percent” – said in the report, which also indicated that the remaining candidates and candidates one -digit.

“From these election preferences, it can be concluded that older generations are clearly more voting for politicians from the two largest parties, exchanging in power for over two decades, while among them now increased the percentage of people discouraged from the political scene” – this is one of the conclusions from the report, which is available online at the Batorego Foundation. (PAP)

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