Parliament speaker: decision on presidential election date to be announced on January 8

On Monday, the PKW issued a statement indicating that the Speaker of the Sejm may formally call the presidential election no earlier than January 15. This is due to the state of emergency declared in September.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Szymon Hołownia referred to the commission’s opinion. "On January 8, I will announce to you the date of the first round of the presidential election, and consequently the second round as well. However, to eliminate any doubts, I will formally call the election, in accordance with the PKW's opinion, on January 15," he stated.

The Speaker mentioned legal concerns regarding the announcement of the election date. "There were legal opinions suggesting otherwise. Because of the states of emergency, it should be done no earlier than the 15th. There was a dispute, and various opinions were expressed by lawyers and PKW members. Opinions on this matter were very diverse," Hołownia explained.

The Constitution stipulates that elections cannot be held within 90 days after the conclusion of a state of emergency. The state of emergency declared by the government in response to the September floods was lifted on October 16, 2024. Consequently, the 90-day period ends on January 14, 2025, raising questions about whether the election date can be announced as early as January 8.

In light of the uncertainties, the Speaker of the Sejm sought consultation from the National Electoral Commission (PKW) regarding the timing of the election date announcement.

"The National Electoral Commission responded promptly to my request, for which I thank Chairman Marciniak (Chairman of the National Electoral Commission Sylwester Marciniak - ed.). They issued a resolution recommending the application of a precautionary principle to ensure there is never any doubt in the future. It advised choosing the safer date of January 15," Hołownia stated.

The Speaker had previously assured that despite the uncertainties, the election date would be revealed on January 8. "If it turns out that it must officially be done on January 15, because that’s the real difference, then it will be done. But I will keep my promise, and on January 8, I will announce the election date," Hołownia promised last week.

He emphasized that the Sejm Chancellery was aware of the issue and had commissioned numerous legal opinions on the matter.

Szymon Hołownia addressed comments from PSL MP Marek Sawicki during a Wednesday press conference. Sawicki had said on TVP Info that the PSL’s (Polish People's Party, which forms the Third Way coalition together with Hołownia's Poland 2050 party - ed.) support for Hołownia as a presidential candidate had not yet been finalized.

"This matter isn’t settled because the National Council (of PSL), which makes such decisions, has not yet met. I understand that by December 14, I’ll be able to share good news with you. As for MP Sawicki, he spoke the truth," Hołownia explained.

Asked whether he seeks PSL’s endorsement, Hołownia emphasized his respect for colleagues from the party. "However, as I’ve said before, my decision to run isn’t dependent on the support of any political force. But if there are political forces willing to lend their support, I’m very open to it," he stated, adding that he would be delighted if PSL chose to endorse him.

Asked about whether the Collegium Humanum matter could affect his presidential campaign, Hołownia asserted: "For me, this issue is closed."

The controversy arose after Newsweek reported that Hołownia was listed as a student at the university but never attended classes. Hołownia clarified that he had submitted documents to Collegium Humanum to complete psychology studies previously started at SWPS but did not begin studying there or earn a diploma.

Hołownia acknowledged that the matter might resurface during the campaign in "various forms or offshoots," but he expressed confidence that it would not be decisive.