The Commission on Russian Influence is a factor for parliamentarians to weigh when deciding on recommendations. The responsibility lies with members of Parliament, not the president, to determine whether to act on the commission’s guidance.
Committee recommendations on Russian influence
Recently the Sejm dismissed eight members of the state commission investigating Russian influence on Poland’s internal security for 2007-2022. Earlier, the Committee on Russian Influence presented a partial report covering three months of work and suggested that certain public figures should not be trusted with roles tied to national safety, citing past recognition of the Russian FSB as a partner service during 2010-2014.
Members of the European Parliament should take the findings into account
Questions were raised about whether the president should consider the commission’s recommendations when appointing a new prime minister. The appropriate decision, however, rests with the president, who has already indicated Mateusz Morawiecki as a candidate for prime minister.
If the Sejm does not hold a confidence vote next Monday, December 11, and Morawiecki does not secure a majority, the process will move to the second constitutional step, with the Sejm presenting its candidate.
The Commission and its partial report should be weighed by Members of Parliament in their decision-making. It is the parliamentarians who must decide how to respond, not the president, to this question.
The minister noted that the president would respect the Sejm’s decision.
If a government or prime minister is appointed by the Sejm majority, the president will immediately appoint that prime minister, the minister stated.
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When will the new Prime Minister be sworn in?
Officials were also asked about the possible timing of swearing in the new prime minister and whether there is a scheduled item on the presidential calendar for that ceremony.
When planning next week’s agenda, different scenarios are considered. On the evening of December 12, the President will be returning from a trip to Switzerland, where he will participate in a UN event marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The trip has been on the books for some time.
Should the second constitutional step proceed as announced by the Sejm’s Speaker, it points to December 13 as the earliest swearing-in date for a new government, with December 14 as another option if needed. The morning hours could be used, as the European Council session starts in the evening.
Collaboration between the President and Donald Tusk
Asked about potential cooperation between President Andrzej Duda and Donald Tusk, the leader of the PO, the official said the president remains open to cooperation. The key issue is what policy the new government will pursue and what decisions will be taken. The question is whether the opposition will ride a wave of momentum while seeking to shape policy, or whether there will be constructive agreement with the president on core issues for Poland.
The president intends to defend the policies and values on which he ran in the elections.
According to the Sejm’s published session schedule, a confidence vote in Morawiecki’s government is set for Monday, December 11 at 3 p.m. If the vote fails, there will be a short break before candidates for prime minister are nominated again in the second constitutional step. The KO, Polska 2050 of Szymon Hołownia, PSL, and the Left have named Donald Tusk as their candidate for head of government.
As noted by the Sejm, on December 11 at 4:30 p.m. MPs will proceed to the election of the Prime Minister. The agenda also includes brief statements from clubs and groups, with the main vote scheduled for 8 p.m. A swearing-in and the formation of the Council of Ministers would follow on December 12 at 9 a.m., including the proposed cabinet composition.
There has been ongoing discussion about the second constitutional step and whether a government will be formed by the time the Sejm acts. After discussions between party leaders, the timeline suggests an anticipated government formation on December 11, with a formal swearing-in perhaps on December 13 if time permits.
In the parliamentary elections, PiS won 194 seats, falling short of a majority. KO holds 157 seats, with Trzecia Droga at 65, New Left at 26, and Konfederacja at 18.
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wkt/PAP