Rada Gminy - idea to stand as a councilor in Poland

Hello,

I have this idea to stand as a councilor, can anybody see any reason why I wouldn't be allowed to? e.g. are there any restrictions regarding nationality, residence, political association etc??

Are you an EU citizen? As far as I'm aware, this is the only restriction.

Yes, I am. I am also registered at an address in the Gmina, though not there 100% of the year. I have noticed though that all previous candidates stood under one of the Political parties. Not sure I could join one, even if I actually wanted to.

I'm not sure if you can stand as an independent, though certain political parties do not have nationality restrictions and any such restriction could be easily challenged although of course that would alienate the part in question. To form your own party would not be easy.

You can always form your own electoral committee - but normally, in Poland, you would associate yourself with one of the bigger groupings locally while standing as an independent. For instance - I have a friend who stood for election in the gmina. He was independent, but he was on the list of the PSL. Most local elections will work this way.

Nope. You have to have a permanent residence permit as a EU citizen.

That's a curious restriction, I might have to make a complaint :)

(Polish citizens aren't bound by the same obligation in the UK, so...)