The Office of the President of Poland has confirmed that the country’s parliamentary election will hold on the 13th of October this year. The elections will determine who will make up the 460-seat lower House of Parliament and the 100-seat Senate.

An Early Election

Last week, President Andrzej Duda announced (on Polsat TV) that he asked the State Electoral Commission to approve the October 13 date to prevent a lengthy electoral campaign and political clashes.

Blazej Spychalski, a spokesman for the President, confirmed Duda’s initial proposal regarding the election date during a broadcast announcement, swaying: “The president has just signed an appropriate ordinance regarding the election to be held on October 13.”

What the Polls are Saying

Just last week, a survey by pollster IBRIS showed that the ruling Law and Justice PiS Party will attract 41.7 per cent of votes against the centrist opposition coalition, led by the Civic Platform party.

The PiS party is expected to win following a track record of robust economic growth. However, since coming to power in 2015, the party has been in conflict with the European Union over reforms to the judiciary which have tampered with the body’s independence.

The PiS is also at odds with the people and certain organisations for promoting intolerance toward LGBTQ+ people and other minorities.

Why does this election matter? 

According to Associated Press, the election is considered as one of the most important elections in the 30 years since the fall of communism in Poland. This is because the country finds itself deeply divided over Law and Justice’s socially conservative and nationalistic policies.

LGBTQ+ rights, pollution and minority/migrants issues will be the key debate topics in the campaigns this year. With a population of over 38 million people and an average voter turnout of 48.1 percent, this election will decide whether Poland’s right-wing, nationalist ruling party will keep its majority control of the government through 2023.