Polish opposition leaders Donald Tusk and Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz urge repeal of the ruling Law & Justice party’s 2018 two‑term limit for village heads, town mayors and city presidents, pressing all parties to reverse the decision.
Dispute Over Term Limits in Local Governments
On September 12, the first reading of a proposed amendment to the Electoral Code took place. The bill, authored by PSL MPs, aims to repeal the 2018 Law and Justice rule that limits village heads, town mayors and city presidents to two consecutive terms.
The proposal has been forwarded to a public hearing before the Sejm’s extraordinary committee on codification changes, scheduled for October 29 at 11 a.m.
Tusk Urges Parties to Cancel PiS Decision
At a press conference during the Platforma Obywatelska convention, Donald Tusk said he has long fought for the principle that local officials are elected directly by voters, not by parties or interest groups.
He called the party’s two‑term restriction a “stupid decision” and urged representatives of all political camps to reverse it, asserting that citizens should choose their local managers freely.
PSL Leader Demands Constitutional Amendment if Bill Fails
In Wierzchosławice, Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz reiterated that local communities – which elect village heads and mayors more frequently than parliamentarians – should have the autonomy to decide.
He added that should the PSL amendment not be adopted, the party would propose a constitutional change to introduce a two‑term limit for members of parliament, arguing that unequal treatment of voters would be unfair.
