The portal wPolityce.pl reports that Maciej Wąsik and Mariusz Kamiński intend to appeal to the Supreme Court against Szymon Hołownia’s decision to revoke their parliamentary mandates. They have a three-day window to file the appeal. Legally, President Andrzej Duda could also issue pardons for the two politicians again. Other avenues to avoid prison exist as well, following what is perceived by many as an unfair and politicized ruling by a judge aligned with the Iustitia association. [attribution: wPolityce]
Marshal Hołownia’s decision has been challenged as invalid by supporters who argue that the MPs were entitled to their seats; they say they will pursue a formal complaint to the Supreme Court and will not back down. [attribution: wPolityce]
In a recent interview, Maciej Wąsik reiterated that the decision to strip the MPs of their seats was the result of a political verdict from the Warsaw Court of Appeal, which confirmed the initial judgment and triggered the immediate risk of imprisonment for both politicians. [attribution: wPolityce]
Under the Electoral Act, Article 250 provides a mechanism for parliamentarians to challenge the marshal’s decision within the prescribed timeframe, and the law lays out the procedural steps for such an appeal. The text explains that the decision, together with its justification, must be forwarded to the MP, who then has three days to bring the matter before the Supreme Court. The appeal is filed through the President of the Sejm, and the Supreme Court is to conduct a non-litigious review within seven days, providing a written decision to the MP, the Sejm Chair, and the National Electoral Commission. [attribution: wPolityce]
Both MPs appear intent on exercising their right to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court to obtain a definitive ruling on the legality of the marshal’s action. In the same political context, it has been noted that the president retains the option to issue pardons again and that the former ministers could also lodge cassation appeals to the Supreme Court. They may additionally seek a suspension order from the Division for the Execution of Judgments to halt the enforcement of the ruling while the court reviews the case. [attribution: wPolityce]
Observers are watching closely as the process unfolds, given the potential implications for parliamentary tenure, executive authority, and the broader interplay between the courts and political leadership in the country. [attribution: wPolityce]
WB