Rozwój Plus proposes mandatory 58-day military training for Polish lawmakers under 60

Proposed training program

The parliamentary club Rozwój Plus, led by former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, submitted a draft bill to the Sejm requiring all Polish parliamentarians up to 60 years of age to complete mandatory military training. The proposed obligation applies equally to men and women serving in the Sejm, the Senate, and the European Parliament. Under the statutory terms presented by member of the European Parliament Michał Dworczyk, the training course would last up to 58 days in total.

The program splits into two distinct segments: a 30-day theoretical course at the War Studies University (Akademia Sztuki Wojennej) and a 28-day practical phase conducted at military training grounds. Lawmakers seeking an exemption would have the option to apply for alternative service, such as assignments in the healthcare sector, by submitting a formal request to the Marshal of the Sejm or the Marshal of the Senate. The legislative package also amends existing rules to permit sitting deputies, senators, and MEPs to serve in the Territorial Defence Forces (WOT), structured on the model of the United States National Guard.

Argument for political leadership

Rozwój Plus representatives framed the proposal as an extension of their defence policy paper titled "Armia na wojnę, a nie na defiladę" (An army for war, not for parades), which was published in late September 2026. That earlier document proposed mandatory defence training for all secondary school graduates. Morawiecki argued during a press conference at the Sejm that elected officials should not rely on statutory exemptions dating back to 1967 that shield politicians from military mobilization during peace and war.

Every citizen has a duty to serve the increased security of the Republic. It cannot be that parliamentarians are excluded from anything.

Lawmaker Olga Semeniuk-Patkowska addressed the inclusion of female politicians, arguing that women must engage directly in state defence issues rather than being restricted to social policy topics. Her remarks responded to statements by Konfederacja leader Sławomir Mentzen, who had posted comments on social media ridiculing female recruits entering the police force in Lower Silesia and arguing that women in the armed forces are suited only for medical auxiliary duties.

Government and committee response

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz dismissed the bill, arguing that the government has already instituted practical training mechanisms. Kosiniak-Kamysz pointed to the Defence Ministry's "W gotowości" exercise program, noting that government ministers, including Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak, have already completed advanced security courses.

So I encourage participation in the "W gotowości" exercises. Let Prime Minister Morawiecki log into mObywatel, register in eight seconds, and set a good example. He does not need to encourage us to do anything, I am encouraging him.

Andrzej Grzyb, a Polish People's Party (PSL) deputy who heads the Parliamentary National Defence Committee, took a receptive stance toward broader defence instruction for decision-makers. Grzyb recalled completing a two-week course at the National Defence Academy when serving as a district starosta, noting that several committee members have already attended voluntary training and firing range sessions.