Polish presidential election, May 1926
The third presidential election in Poland was held in Warsaw on 31 May 1926. The National Assembly Józef Piłsudski elected President of the Republic of Poland, but it did not participate in the election.
Background
During the Maiputsches on 12 bis May 15, 1926 fell Marshal aD Józef Piłsudski the newly elected government of laws, center coalition under Wincenty Witos. Also waived on May 15, the President of the Republic of Poland, Stanisław Wojciechowski, to his office to avoid further hostility and a civil war. The Marshal of the Sejm Maciej Rataj took over in accordance with the " Constitution March " for the second time on an interim basis the official duties of Head of State. First, it was expected that Marshal Pilsudski can also dissolve the parliament and early elections shall command. However, since after the coup, no clear instructions of Piłsudski came Rataj exclaimed the presidential election on Monday, May 31, 1926.
The choice
Candidates
Józef Piłsudski
The following candidates were proposed for election to the National Assembly:
- Bninski Adolf - border grater seater, economist, Voivode of Poznan ( since 1923), Monarchist
- Józef Piłsudski - Marshal of the army, co-founder of the Polish Socialist Party, former head of state (1919-1922) and Commander in Chief (1919-1923)
The vote
Under the chairmanship of Sejmmarschalls Maciej Rataj found the secret ballot at the fourth meeting of the National Assembly rather than by ballot throw-in.
After the election
Marshal Pilsudski took the choice not to. The rejection of the election acceptance was perceived with astonishment, both among his opponents as well as among his supporters. With his choice and the rejection of the dignity Piłsudski pursued two goals. For the first, he legitimizing his coup, as the democratic procedures were formally respected. Secondly, he submitted to the National Assembly and thus demonstrated his most extensive disgust towards Parliament.
Furthermore, since decided a head of state, Rataj the National Assembly adjourned to the next day, so that a further election of the President could take place.