Introduction
The system of government of a state may be centralized, meaning that the nationwide government makes decisions at the local level, or decentralized, in which local self-government operates and enjoys a certain degree of independence in decision-making at the local level.
Poland is a decentralized state. This is stated in Article 15 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland:
- The territorial system of the Republic of Poland ensures the decentralization of public authority.
- The basic territorial division of the state, taking into account social, economic, or cultural ties and ensuring that territorial units have the capacity to perform public tasks, shall be specified by statute.
Local government in Poland – how does it work and why is it important?
Imagine that Poland is a large company. It has a central office in Warsaw (the Government), which is responsible for overall strategy, planning, and large-scale decisions. For everything to function efficiently, it also needs branches in different locations – these are the territorial self-government units.
These “branches” operate directly in your local area. They ensure that there is street lighting, that buses arrive on time, and that school buildings have roofs that do not leak. However, their role is broader: they allow the company to operate more efficiently because they are familiar with local conditions, can build relationships with “clients” – that is, residents – and listen to their needs. As a result, they can introduce changes where they are truly needed and respond to problems on an ongoing basis. The branches also help the central office adapt its decisions to local conditions, which makes the entire company – that is, Poland – function efficiently and effectively.
At the level of local government, decisions are made that have a real and direct impact on our everyday lives. It is the local government that decides whether a new streetlamp will appear on your street, what a school will look like, or where a new road or bicycle path will be built.
In short: instead of waiting for someone in Warsaw to decide on the renovation of a sidewalk in your city, the local government does it, because it knows where that sidewalk is and that it requires urgent repair so that it can be used safely.
How is local government organized in Poland?
Local government is organized on three levels:
Commune (gmina)
This is the smallest unit of local government. It is responsible, among other things, for street lighting, waste management, kindergartens, and municipal roads. A commune has the competence to enact local law, that is, law binding within its territory. These acts are referred to as resolutions. Communes may also adopt their own statute, which regulates the system of the commune to the extent not regulated by statute.
The governing bodies of a commune are the commune council and the village mayor(wójt)/mayor of a town/city president.
Larger communes may, by way of a resolution, create smaller units within the commune, such as sołectwa (village administrative units), housing estates, or districts.
County (powiat)
A larger area covering several communes. Decisions regarding secondary schools, county hospitals, and county roads are made at this level.
The county is headed by the starosta (county executive) along with the county board. The legislative body is the County Council.
Voivodeship (województwo)
The largest unit of local government. A region covering several counties. It is responsible for investments and the development of the entire region, as well as planning transportation between cities.
How are the bodies of local government elected?
In general elections, the wójt (village mayor)/town mayor/city president and councillors for the County Council and Voivodeship Assembly are elected.
The starosta (county executive) and the county board are elected by the County Council, while the voivodeship marshal and the voivodeship board are elected by the Voivodeship Assembly.
The wójt/town mayor/city president may be elected for a term of up to five years.
Citizen engagement in local affairs:
Citizen legislative initiative
Residents can submit their own draft resolution, e.g., to name a street. Such a submission requires collecting a specified number of signatures (depending on the size of the commune).
Citizen referendum initiative
This may concern important matters for residents or the recall of the wójt (village mayor)/town mayor/city president before the end of their term. For the referendum to be valid, at least 30% of eligible voters must participate (in the case of recalling authorities).
Youth councils and senior councils
Youth councils of communes/counties/voivodeships represent young residents, submit opinions and proposals, and cooperate with the commune council. Since 2022, every commune is obliged to allow the establishment of a youth council if there is such an initiative. Senior councils operate similarly but focus on the needs of older residents.
Public consultations
Meetings, surveys, or debates in which residents can express their opinions on local government plans (e.g., the location of a new road or the modernization of a park). The local government is not always obliged to implement residents’ opinions but must listen to them and include them in official documentation.
- Participatory budget
Part of the commune’s budget is handed over to the residents. Anyone can submit a project (e.g., a playground, a mural, a bicycle repair station), and then residents vote on which projects will be implemented.
Petitions, proposals, complaints
Any citizen may submit a petition (a request to take action), a proposal, or a complaint (about an action or inaction of the authority). The local government is obliged to respond within a specified period.
Participation in council sessions
Sessions of the commune, county, or voivodeship councils are public. Residents can attend, listen, and sometimes speak. Many local governments also broadcast sessions online, allowing participation from home.
Why is it important?
If residents do not engage, decisions are made without their participation – and sometimes in ways that do not meet their needs. Civic activity ensures that local government is more transparent and that decisions are better tailored to the community’s needs.
Task for you
You can check which participatory budget initiatives have recently been implemented in your area. To do this, visit the website of your commune office and look at the news to see what projects are currently being carried out.
You can also check the website of the National Electoral Commission (Państwowa Komisja Wyborcza) to see the voter turnout in the last local elections and think about how it could be increased in the next elections.
With this knowledge, consider: how can you influence decisions in your commune? Remember, your voice matters!