The last time Poles voted in June was in 1989. The highest turnout of Polish voters in parliamentary elections ever - 62 percent - was recorded then.
Will we see another such mobilization of the voting public this Sunday? There are a number of reasons to be optimistic. Emotions are running high and supporters of the three main candidates have their reasons to vote for Kaczyński, Komorowski or Napieralski respectively.
The presidential elections are usually more popular among voters than the somewhat complex parliamentary polls. In the presidential elections, constituents vote state-wide for one person. The message is clear. There will be no coalition negotiations, preferential voting, or 10-page lists of candidates to choose from.
One page, a few names and just one "X" is necessary.
The fair summer weather is also a factor. The chances are good that it will be a sunny, warm day - perfect for going out to vote.
The choice at hand
So, what is the choice? The choice is quite simple. Sejm Speaker and Acting President Bronisław Komorowski says he wants to end the Polish-Polish war. His presidency will most likely be focused on engaging the public.
Unlike his predecessors, who either fought palace wars (Lech Wałęsa 1990-1995, Aleksander Kwaśniewski 2001-2005), or positioned themselves in fierce opposition to the government (Aleksander Kwaśniewski 1997-2001, Lech Kaczyński 2007-2010), Mr Komorowski dreams of a period for Poland where all the branches of government serve one purpose and one purpose only - rapid development of the country.
An alternative vision is presented by PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński. He talks about ending the Polish-Polish war; but he was the one who fired the first shots of this particular edition.
It is highly unlikely that he will be elected, and he aims to get the best support possible - more then 30 percent in the first round and more then 40 percent in the second round in July.
This will reconfirm the position of the Law and Justice (PiS) as a real powerhouse in Polish politics, able to take over Parliament in the future and form a government with the Polish People's Party (PSL).
Should he become president, that would be problematic for him and his party - PiS would need to elect a new leader, and the position of number-two in the party, Zbigniew Ziobro, is by no means set in stone. Mr Kaczyński's presidency would be a repetition of that of Lech Kaczyński - with a reactive domestic policy and a confrontational - though potentially less controversial - foreign policy.
Leftist ambitions
Mr Napieralski's chances remain small. His objective is twofold. The first objective is to obtain more than about 12 percent of the vote, confirming his position as the clear leader of the Polish left.
More than 15 percent (coupled with fewer than 30 percent of the vote for Jarosław Kaczyński) could shake up the Polish political landscape in the near future and reestablish the (still) undermined credibility of the left after the debacles of the Leszek Miller government (2001-2004).
His second objective has been to try out a "smiling campaign" and to reach out to those who want a generational change in Polish politics.
The objective is to organize strong bases for the left for the fall regional elections in the big cities and ahead of the next parliamentary campaign.
The immediate consequences of a good performance by Mr Napieralski could even include the reconstruction of the Donald Tusk cabinet, and switching the junior coalition partner from PSL to SLD; or the inclusion of SLD into the PO-PSL government.
But Mr Napieralski should resist those temptations and focus on the reconstruction of the unity of the left with smaller parties such as SDPL, PD, Zieloni 2004 and the Womens' Party.
A good performance by Mr Napieralski may mean the left would have a leader; a Polish version of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero - a dream Mr Napieralski has had for some time now.
