Polish opposition slams ruling party's electoral reform plan

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, center, leader of the ruling Law and Justice party, with his party members Ryszard Terlecki, left and Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak attend the parliament session after opposition lawmakers ended their protest in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. The parliament session hall was occupied by opposition lawmakers in a protest against the budget vote that was according to them illegal. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) (The Associated Press)

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, right, the leader of the ruling Law and Justice party walks out of the session hall as Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak stands behind, after the speaker opened the parliament session, only to declare a break till Thursday, in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. The parliament's session hall is occupied by a group of opposition lawmakers as they continue a protest since Dec.16, 2016 against the policies of the ruling Law and Justice party, causing delay to the first session of 2017. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) (The Associated Press)

WARSAW, Poland – Poland's opposition leaders say that changes to electoral law proposed by the ruling party are aimed at helping the party win local elections next year and remove opponents from office.

The head of the ruling conservative party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who is Poland's most powerful politician, has said he wants new regulations to limit to two the number of terms served by city and town mayors as well as local community heads. He argues it would give opportunities to new candidates.

But leaders of two liberal opposition parties say the proposal is meant to help the ruling Law and Justice party win in 2018 and take control of local government. It now controls the parliament, the national government and the presidency.

The proposals haven't been formally submitted yet.