Polish Parliamentary Elections Set for October 15th

President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, has announced that parliamentary elections in the country will take place on October 15th. He shared this information on his Twitter page.

"Take part in the elections! Based on the favorable conclusion just received from the State Electoral Commission regarding the proposed date for the Sejm and Senate elections, I have decided to appoint these elections for October 15, 2023. The future of Poland is the responsibility of each one of us! Exercise your rights!" – wrote Andrzej Duda.

The media previously reported that parliamentary elections in Poland would be scheduled for this date. According to their information, a positive conclusion regarding the president's draft order to appoint parliamentary elections on October 15, 2023, was sent to the president's office. From the moment of announcing the election date, uncontrolled pre-election agitation ceases.

According to the constitution, the President of Poland was obliged to announce the election date by August 14th. According to the law, the president appoints elections no later than 90 days before the end of the four-year term of the Sejm and Senate. The current term of office began on November 12, 2019, and ends on the day before the first session of the next Sejm.

Parliamentary elections must be scheduled on a weekend falling within the 30-day period before the end of the four-year term of the Sejm and Senate. Thus, the possible dates were October 15th, 22nd, 29th, and November 5th. Andrzej Duda chose the nearest date.

The parliamentary elections planned for autumn 2023 are crucial, as they could lead to a change in power after the dominance of the "Law and Justice" (PiS) party for the past two terms, which has been in power since 2015. Public opinion polls in 2022 indicate a possible success for opposition parties: if not a victory for the united opposition, then likely a loss of the majority in the Sejm and Senate for the ruling party. Support for "Law and Justice" has dropped below 40%, frequently hovering around 35%.

According to a poll conducted in late June 2023, 37% of voters expressed their willingness to support the ruling "Law and Justice" (PiS) party, while 31% intend to vote for the opposition Civic Coalition, whose support remained unchanged according to the survey. 14% may support the far-right "Confederation," known for its anti-Ukrainian sentiments.