Editing Veche (section)

===Poland===
[[Image:Wiec Kazimierz Wielki.jpg|thumb|right|A ''wiec'' in the time of [[Poland]]'s King [[Casimir III of Poland|Casimir III]] ({{reign|1333|1370}})]]
The ''veche'', known in Poland as ''wiec'', were convened even before the beginning of the Polish statehood in the [[History of Poland during the Piast dynasty|Kingdom of Poland]].<ref name="bardach202627"/> Issues were first debated by the elders and leaders, and later presented to all the free men for a wider discussion.<ref name="bardach202627"/><ref name="bardach63-64"/>

One of the major types of ''wiec'' was the one convened to choose a new ruler.<ref name="bardach202627"/> There are legends of a 9th-century [[election]] of the legendary founder of the [[Piast dynasty]], [[Piast the Wheelwright]], and a similar election of his son, [[Siemowit]], but sources for that time come from the later centuries and their validity is disputed by scholars.<ref name="Davies2001"/><ref name="Roszko1980"/> The election privilege was usually limited to the elites,<ref name="bardach202627"/> which in the later times took the form of the most powerful nobles ([[magnates]], [[prince]]s) or officials, and was heavily influenced by local traditions and strength of the ruler.<ref name="bardach62-63"/> By the 12th or 13th century, the ''wiec'' institution likewise limited its participation to high ranking nobles and officials.<ref name="bardach63-64"/> The nationwide gatherings of ''wiec'' officials in 1306 and 1310 can be seen as precursors of the Polish parliament (the [[Sejm of the Kingdom of Poland|General Sejm]]).<ref name="bardach63-64"/>