Sejm rejects scrapping two-term limit for mayors, 215 votes against 213

The vote on the two-term limit

On Thursday, 22 October 2026, the Sejm rejected an amendment to the Electoral Code that would have scrapped the rule barring commune heads, mayors and city presidents from serving more than two terms in the same municipality. The bill was drafted by the Polish People's Party (PSL), a coalition partner of the government, and it was one of the party's top local-government demands. Of the 437 MPs who took part, 213 voted for and 215 against, while nine abstained; a further 23 did not vote. Earlier in the proceedings the Sejm had refused a motion from the Razem and Wolni Republikanie (now Demokracja Bezpośrednia) clubs to reject the bill in full. The draft would also have removed a ban on local executives standing for county councils and regional assemblies, and the decision leaves the current limit in force.

For213

Against215

Abstained9

Did not vote23

For

213 MPs

Against

215 MPs

Abstained

9 MPs

Did not vote

23 MPs

Data from the article text

Tax thresholds passed the same day

The Sejm also passed a bill changing tax thresholds on the same Thursday. The first threshold would rise from 120,000 to 130,000 zloty, and income below it would stay at a 12 percent rate. A new band would cover income above 130,000 up to 150,000 zloty at 24 percent, and income above 150,000 zloty would be taxed at 32 percent. The vote was 240 in favour, 58 against and 135 abstentions. The articles describe the threshold change as a proposal passed by the chamber and do not give an effective date.

For240

Against58

Abstained135

For

240 MPs

Against

58 MPs

Abstained

135 MPs

Data from the article text

PSL's counter-demand

The PSL leader, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who is also deputy prime minister and defence minister, said after a meeting of the party's national council in early October that PSL would propose two-term limits for MPs and senators if the local change failed. He argued that parliamentarians should not require limits from others that they do not want to accept themselves. He framed the demand as a matter of equal treatment rather than blackmail. One article notes that a term limit for parliamentarians would require amending the constitution. On Thursday evening, after the vote, the party posted on X:

“Two terms for MPs and senators too! Since we have two terms for mayors, commune heads and city presidents, the same rules should apply to MPs and senators!”

Background and positions

The two-term rule for local executives was introduced in 2018 under the Law and Justice government, which also extended local government terms from four to five years. When the count is made, the period in office before the 2018 elections is not taken into account. PSL submitted its bill to the Sejm in July 2025. Opponents of scrapping the limit argue it prevents local power networks from forming and gives new candidates a real chance. Supporters argue that voters should decide whether to keep a trusted incumbent, and that the limit restricts that choice.