Mniejszość niemiecka w życiu politycznym województwa opolskiego

Abstract

German Minority in Political Life of Opole Voivodeship

Since 1989 the German minority in Opole Silesia has developed a strong organisation with the well‑conducted structures in whole region. Generally speaking, its associations have brought together Silesian people who declared theirs German origins. The activities of this minority have a social and cultural dimension, but also a significant political aspect. Its leaders have become professional politicians and are present at all levels of polish political life: local, regional and even national. Despite the fact that this is the strongest national minority in Poland, its representatives in polish parliament are less and less numerous. During the campaign preceding the parliamentary election in 2011 the leaders of German minority revealed their intention to open their electoral proposal to all inhabitants of Opole voivodeship.