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POLAND

Date of release: May 25
Released in: www.wp.pl
Link: click here

High support, low turnout at another mock-vote about membership

Less than 22% of Glucholazy gmina inhabitants took part in EU pra-referendum on Sunday. 85,9% of those, who cast their vote supported Poland's membership in EU. 13,9% were against.

In the eye of the organizers low turnout is not a surprise. "We have expected this. Our estimations indicated that it would be between 20 and 25%", said Marcin Palade from Election Surveys Center (OBW) on a press conference. The turnout in polling stations around the town was even lower (8 and 18% respectively)

Summing up the results of the voting Palade admitted that in June referendum we may not manage to reach the level of 50%. "38% of Poles live in the rural area and pra-referendum results show that rural population is not interested in voting", he pointed out.

"With the absence of the rural population it will require a huge activity of medium towns and big cities inhabitants to reach the minimum turnout. It would have to reach the level of 70-80%. And this is just impossible", added Palade.

He claims that both supporters and opponents of integration should make a good use of the two weeks that have remained to referendum. "First of all those who are responsible for governmental campaign should encourage rural population to vote and not discourage the euro-skeptics", pointed out Palade.

In the eye of Edward Szupryczynski - Mayor of Glucholazy - the turnout of 22% proves that inhabitants are prepared, but to two-days referendum and the time that has left should be maximally used on an informative campaign, especially in the countryside.

Young people aged 15-18 could also vote in pre-referendum in Glucholazy. Most of them (almost 85%) are for the Poland's integration to EU. The turnout here was also low - 18%.

Simultaneously with the pre-referendum OBW surveyed the political preferences of Glucholazy inhabitants. On the reverse page of the polling card there was a question about the party voter wants to support in the election to European parliament. The biggest chances to introduce its representatives to European Parliament have: SLD (27,5%), Self-Defence (16,5%) and PO (15%).