Free election, 1576
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Stephen Báthory and Anna Jagiellon
The second Free Election in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in 1575/1576. In the night of June 28–29, 1574, King Henri of Valois secretly left Poland to claim the French throne. The Commonwealth was left without a monarch, and the period of interregnum ended with a double election. After few month of negotiations, Stefan Batory became new king.
After finding out about the death of his brother, King Charles IX of France, who died on 30 May 1574, Henri decided to secretly leave Poland, and return to his homeland. This plan was supported by his mother, Catherine de' Medici, who resumed the regency until Henri's return from Poland. It must be noted that Polish nobility had previously considered this option. Henri was to marry Anna Jagiellon, and return to France, leaving his wife in the Commonwealth. Thus, the two nations would be ruled by a royal couple.
Since Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was left without a monarch, and there was a danger of anarchy, in late August 1574 the Primate of Poland called a council of senators and magnate. The council, which did not include envoys from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Duchy of Livonia and Royal Prussia, discussed whether Henri should still be regarded King of Poland. After lengthy deliberations, Henri was called to return to Kraków before May 12, 1575.
In May 1575, Polish nobility gathered at Stężyca, but no decision was taken. Internal conflict between pro-, and anti - Habsburg factions deepened, while southeastern provinces of Red Ruthenia and Podolia were raided by Crimean Tatars, who captured thousands of people. Finally, with support of Senate, the Primate officially declared interregnum.
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Wikipedia