Poland's Long‑Marriage Medal Queue Swells to 160,000

In Kutno, Barbara and Paweł Mordzak were honored with the Medal for Long‑Term Marriage, a state award presented by the city’s mayor on behalf of the President of Poland. The ceremony marked their 50‑year marriage and highlighted the medal’s role in recognizing long‑lasting relationships.

The award has become the focus of a political dispute, as the government reports that about 160,000 couples are awaiting the medal while critics allege sluggish processing by President Karol Nawrocki’s office. The medal, established in 1960, is granted only to Polish citizens who have been married at least 50 years and have no criminal record, with applications requiring a formal request to the civil‑registry office. The growing backlog has sparked debate over the eligibility criteria and administrative efficiency.