The parliamentary group of the Law and Justice party remains steadfast in its choice for deputy chair of the Senate. If Marek Pęk is not elected, the party will consider a position with no representation in the Presidium, according to Stanisław Karczewski, the head of the PiS Senate club. He also noted that the PiS Senate Club is unlikely to accept chairing committees, since only two presidencies are being proposed in ongoing talks.
PiS does not plan to change its deputy chairman candidate for the Senate
On Monday, the PiS leader of the Senate club spoke to reporters about the senators’ decision to reject PiS candidate Marek Pęk for the deputy chairmanship. Earlier, PiS candidate Elżbieta Witek failed to secure a majority for the deputy chairmanship in the Sejm.
Karczewski observed that the outcome in Marek Pęk’s case could resemble the one seen in Elżbieta Witek’s situation after the vote.
He described the situation as a breach of fundamental principles, proper conduct, and democracy. He pointed out that the governing club, with 34 members representing more than 30 percent of the Senate, would have no presence in the presidency.
– he stated.
He stressed that PiS will not alter its candidate.
If a vacancy arises and Deputy Marshal is feasible, the party will continue to nominate Marek Pęk
– he announced.
If he is not elected, this will be a political decision. He noted that in such a scenario a decision could be made to have no PiS representative in a Senate that is led by, as it has been described, undemocratic political formations.
– Karczewski emphasized.
He added that as the club’s leader he had begun discussions about how chair positions in committees might be allocated.
Reflecting on 2015 when the coalition had 26 PO Senators with five committees, he said they would probably not accept only two committees for themselves this time.
READ ALSO: REPORT. 11th term Senate meeting. Kidawa-Błońska became the new marshal. Pęk was not elected deputy marshal.
Kwiatkowski: The PiS club should nominate a candidate
Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, who won a Senate seat as part of the Senate Pact, was asked why the PiS candidate for deputy chair of the Senate was rejected.
That question should be directed to each senator, he replied. He added that the vote outcome likely reflected that Pęk was sanctioned by the Rules Committee in the prior term for how he treated fellow senators.
In September, the Senate committee punished Marek Pęk for a July social media post that stated: “The Senate deliberations are nearing their end. We have votes ahead — under the cover of darkness, the pro-Russian majority is likely to reject the law requiring the Commission to investigate Russian influence in Poland…”
Kwiatkowski noted that Pęk’s failure to secure a majority left the role of Senate Vice President vacant.
There is a vacancy, and the PiS club hopes to nominate a candidate
– he said.
However, Stanisław Karczewski, head of the PiS Senate section, reaffirmed that the candidate would not be changed.
If a vacancy exists and Deputy Marshal can be pursued, the party will continue to nominate Marek Pęka
– he announced.
If he is not elected, in his view a political decision would be made — there should be no PiS representative in a Senate dominated by, as described, undemocratic political formations.
– Karczewski stressed.
On Monday evening, the Senate elected deputy chairmen of the House of Representatives. They were: Magdalena Biejat (left), Michał Kamiński (UED), and Rafał Grupiński (KO). Marek Pęk did not receive support from the House.
READ ALSO: Witek and Pęka’s candidacies for deputy marshals rejected. PiS politicians express strong disapproval. “Constitution, democracy, these were just slogans.”
olnk/PAP
Source: wPolityce