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Polish local government term limit repeal efforts

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-23 07:42 UTC → 2026-10-23 14:05 UTC · added removed

Efforts to repeal statutory term limits for local leaders in Poland have gained momentum from both municipal organizations and political parties. The Association of Rural Municipalities has officially opposed the limits, arguing that the decision to re-elect mayors and city presidents should rest solely with residents. The association noted that leadership changes have historically been frequent, with 87 percent of municipalities seeing changes over five election cycles between 2006 and 2024. Following this, the Polish People's Party (PSL) launched a formal campaign to abolish the two-term limit for local executives. The PSL Supreme Council passed a resolution to mobilize its parliamentary club on the issue. To ensure legal consistency, the party has suggested executives, suggesting that if local limits are not removed, they will propose similar term limits for members of parliament. parliament to ensure legal consistency. The current legislation, established in 2018 by the Law and Justice (PiS) government, was designed restricts local executives to prevent political cliques and increase rotation in office. Opponents, however, a maximum of two five-year terms. Opponents contend the law is unconstitutional because it violates passive voting rights. While a legislative project to abolish these limits was submitted to the Sejm in mid-2025, it remains remained stalled in the Extraordinary Committee for Changes in Codifications. In October 2026, the Sejm rejected a proposed amendment to the Electoral Code that would have abolished the two-term limit for mayors, village heads (wójt), and city presidents. The amendment, originally introduced by the PSL, also sought to remove prohibitions preventing local executive candidates from running for seats in county councils and voivodeship assemblies. The vote concluded with 213 deputies in favor, 215 against, and 9 abstentions. The defeat highlighted divisions within the governing coalition, as members of Koalicja Obywatelska and Lewica split their votes or opposed the measure. Following the rejection, Marshal Adam Struzik criticized the existing limits, arguing they are limits as ‘absolutely inconsistent with the Constitution’ because they infringe upon both active Constitution’. In response to the narrow defeat, PSL leader Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz suggested the party might propose similar term limits for members of Parliament and passive voting rights. senators, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk indicated he does not see an issue with returning to the project as soon as possible to attempt another vote.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-23 14:05 UTC Polish local government term limit repeal efforts
  2. 2026-10-23 07:42 UTC Polish local government term limit repeal efforts
  3. 2026-10-22 17:03 UTC Polish local government term limit repeal efforts
  4. 2026-10-16 14:32 UTC Polish local government term limit repeal efforts

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