During a news conference in Warsaw on Wednesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland is expected to conduct its upcoming local elections, "most likely on April 7," following

the Easter break.

Tusk, addressing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, highlighted April 7 as the probable date for these local elections, with the runoff round anticipated to take place on April 21.

The decision to schedule the ballot after Easter, which falls between March 29 and April 1, aims to ensure maximum voter turnout, according to the prime minister.

Expressing hope for unity among Poland's pro-European governing parties, Tusk mentioned the possibility of the Civic Coalition (KO), Poland 2050, Polish People's Party (PSL), and the Left forming a "single bloc" to contest the local elections, as reported by rp.pl.

As per the state PAP news agency, Poland's electoral law mandates the organization of the next local elections between March 31 and April 23, 2024.

In addition to outlining the election schedule, Tusk addressed plans for changes to Poland's Constitutional Tribunal, to address concerns raised by the European Union regarding democratic standards and judicial independence under the previous conservative government. These changes are anticipated to enable Poland's access to withheld grants and loans from Brussels.

Furthermore, the prime minister disclosed intentions within the centre-left governing coalition to propose a list of state agencies for abolishment and outline personnel changes within the government machinery, a response to the eight-year rule of the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party. These measures are slated to be revealed by the end of January, according to the PAP news agency. Photo by Platforma Obywatelska RP, Wikimedia commons.