Sejm approves new electoral laws

Ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party passed the law giving the parliament, the right to nominate seven out of nine members of the State Electoral Commission PKW. Currently, that right is reserved for the country’s top courts. On top of that, the interior minister will be able to nominate all candidates for head of the National Election Bureau KBW. “De facto, the minister will take decisions, not us. KBW will become a government agency,” PKW head Wojciech Hermeliński said, and added that he will meet with President Andrzej Duda to discuss the changes and urge him not sign the bill. Other changes to the electoral laws include two terms for mayors and presidents starting from 201, as well as prolonging the local government's terms from four years to five. Postal voting will be abolished.