Zachowania wyborcze Pomorzan
Peculiarities of Electoral Behaviour of the Citizens of Pomeranian Voivodship

Summary/Abstract: The subject of the article is to explain the particularities of electoral behaviour in the Pomeranian region The source of the data are electoral returns from the period 1990-2009 obtained from National Electoral Commission. One can explain the peculiarities of the political behaviours the citizens of the Pomeranian voivodship by three factors: socio-cultural basis of the region, distinction of the Kashubian subregion and current processes connected with the restitution of the voivodship and the influence of the membership of Poland in European Union. Nowadays a region is a very important tool of stimulation for the regional development. The region can be subdivided into the metropolitan area of Trójmiasto (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot), Kashubia and the area within and outside the state borders before 1945. The Pomeranian region is unique in Poland with higher electoral participation and stronger support for post-Solidarity, liberal and pro-European movements. The history formed the character of the region, mostly industrialization in the post-war period, memory of the working-class protests and “Solidarity” movement. The additional forming factors are the key position of the region in the communication system of Poland and its seashore location. This is the source of strong support for social and political liberalism. Although the integration of the region is not complete, a certain kind of common electoral behaviour could be observed during presidential and European elections.

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