Poland Ponders Election to Replace Recently Departed Leader

While Poland mourned the death of their leader, President Lech Kaczynski, the country’s lawmaking body has decided to wait until after the state funeral to decide on the date for the early election that will choose his replacement.

Polish law states that this kind of vote is required in the event their present president is deceased. Kaczynski was killed in a plane crash on Saturday, April 10. He was traveling with his wife, several lawmakers, and other Polish elite to an event that commemorated the execution of thousands of Polish officers during World War II. The Tu-154 crashed while trying to land in a densely fogged area in western Russia.

Investigators are considering human error as a major factor in the crash.

Before the accident, the country was scheduled to vote for a new president this coming fall. This president will serve as Poland’s commander-in-chief for five years. The government and parliament, which is led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, will not face a new election and are chosen separately.

As a result of Kaczynski’s unexpected death, an early presidential election has to be announced within two weeks of that date. In addition to this, the national poll should take place 60 days later.

As of now, there are three tentative dates for the casting of the ballot: June 6, 13, and 20.