Polish Deputy Minister Ireneusz Raś warns war could delay 2027 elections

Constitutional rules during wartime

Article 98 Section 2 of the Polish Constitution requires the president to schedule elections to the Sejm and Senate no later than 90 days before the expiration of the four-year term, setting voting for a non-working day within the final 30 days of the mandate. The Electoral Code specifies that the head of state sets the formal electoral calendar via presidential decree after obtaining an opinion from the National Electoral Commission (PKW). Under standard procedures, the next Polish parliamentary vote is scheduled for autumn 2027. However, Article 228 Section 7 of the Constitution establishes that elections cannot be held during any constitutional state of emergency, including martial law, or for 90 days after its conclusion. Martial law can be declared by the president upon a formal request from the Council of Ministers in cases of external state threat, armed assault against Poland, or collective defense treaty obligations. In such an event, parliamentary mandates are automatically prolonged until the emergency status and subsequent buffer period elapse.

Warning over regional security escalation

During an interview on Radio Wnet with journalist Łukasz Jankowski on 30 September 2026, Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism Ireneusz Raś stated that Polish politicians are underestimating the risk of Russian military expansion. Raś stated that an escalation of the conflict by Russia could trigger constitutional emergency provisions that prevent the autumn 2027 elections from occurring on schedule. In response to questions from Jankowski about current state conditions, Raś clarified that Poland does not currently find itself in a state of emergency. He emphasized that his remarks address hypothetical scenarios rather than existing governance measures.

Few people consider that elections may not take place due to the escalation of Russian aggression. If we have war, as results from the constitution, elections will not take place.

Coalition plans and January negotiations

Raś addressed the internal electoral planning of the governing majority and his party, Centre for Poland (Centrum dla Polski). He indicated that Centre for Poland currently expects to run in 2027 within a dedicated political formation alongside its partners. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is leading preliminary talks among coalition factions regarding the electoral structure. Governing coalition partners have agreed to convene in January to make strategic decisions regarding their alignment for the 2027 parliamentary race. Raś did not rule out forming a joint list comprising the Civic Coalition, the Polish People's Party, and the Left.

There are possible extraordinary situations when there will be one big bloc to save our homeland, if our geopolitical situation suddenly collapses.

Political friction and municipal testing

Raś pointed to recent discussions between Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz and the president focused on reducing domestic political conflicts. He noted that internal partisan disputes must recognize boundaries when the state faces external security risks. The deputy minister also commented on the early presidential election in Kraków, identifying the race as an early test for national political dynamics. Raś described the municipal campaign in the Małopolska regional capital as a testing ground for media and political observers assessing potential results for the 2027 parliamentary vote.