A letter to the Chairman of the Sejm The mandates of Kamiński and Wąsik will not expire!
The president’s letter to the Chairman of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, was published on the website of the President’s Chancellery. In it, the President makes clear that due to the application of the pardon law to Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik there are no grounds for their mandates to expire. This perspective was presented as a direct reply to ongoing discussions about the expiry of parliamentary terms. [citation: wPolityce]
As media reports emerged about plans to issue decisions on the expiry of Members of Parliament, the President emphasised that the pardon statute governs the situation for Kamiński and Wąsik, leaving no legal basis for ending their mandates. The statement underscores a belief in the ongoing validity of the mercy measure and its effect on the political tenure of the two ministers. [citation: wPolityce]
– the message continues to unfold.
On Wednesday, the Marshal of the Sejm announced at a press conference that he had received a document from the head of the Ministry of Justice, Adam Bodnar, containing information about the court’s ruling, and that this document was being analyzed by the legal services of the Sejm. [citation: wPolityce]
“When this analysis is completed, everything indicates that I will be forced to take a decision to terminate the mandates of both Members of Parliament.”
– said Hołownia. [citation: wPolityce]
“I absolutely disagree with the court’s decision.”
During a radio interview on Radio Zet, the president discussed his meeting with Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik. He remarked that prison would make them the first political prisoners in Poland since 1989. [citation: wPolityce]
Asked about the verdict, he stated that he strongly disagreed with the court’s judgment and viewed it as a violation of constitutional norms. He recalled that the pardon granted by the president operates as a presidential privilege without conditions, and that the mercy act remains in force in a continuous and permanent manner. Nothing can undo this, not even a court ruling. [citation: wPolityce]
He noted that the act of mercy concerning M. Kamiński and M. Wąsik stands as a binding measure. The president pointed to the fact that the pardon is not nullified by subsequent judgments and argued that it continues to apply. [citation: wPolityce]
The courts are practicing lawlessness
The president described a worrying trend where, for political reasons, courts would exhibit lawlessness in this area. When asked whether the judge’s decision appeared politically motivated, he replied that there were signals suggesting political influence. He added that certain judges have shown political biases that should not influence their professional status. [citation: wPolityce]
The president asserted that there exists a segment of judges who have become so politicized that some should be excluded from the profession. When pressed on who he had in mind, he suggested that the public could infer the specifics. [citation: wPolityce]
On the matter of judicial independence, the president stated that there are concerns about pressures on the judiciary. He claimed that some judges have prioritized political acts over constitutional duties, a situation he described as unacceptable. [citation: wPolityce]
He also highlighted the broader issue of corruption prosecutions, arguing that while Poland’s courts confront real cases of corruption, there have been aggressive efforts to prosecute those who opposed corruption. The president asserted that the men in question were convicted not for corruption but for their role in fighting corruption. [citation: wPolityce]
Looking ahead, the president expressed hope that a thorough investigation would take place, including witness testimonies and complete evaluation of the evidence. He emphasized the need for a fair, transparent process. [citation: wPolityce]
He praised the state’s stance and integrity of Mariusz Kamiński, describing him as someone who has served Polish society and the Polish state with personal and professional dedication. [citation: wPolityce]
“The act of mercy is still in effect.”
When asked about the opinion of Professor Agnieszka Bień-Kacała from the University of Szczecin, who suggested another pardon could be considered if Kamiński and Wąsik preferred to avoid prison, the president clarified that a pardon had already been issued. He described it as a full pardon relevant to a specific case, not a separate new matter. [citation: wPolityce]
Asked whether a second act of mercy might follow, the president replied that there is indeed an act of mercy in place. It absolves the individuals from criminal liability. [citation: wPolityce]
In later developments, a Warsaw court had imposed two years in prison on Kamiński and Wąsik, and one year sentences on the other two former heads of the CBA for activities related to the so-called “land scandal.” The case was reconsidered after the Supreme Court’s ruling in June. The Supreme Court had overturned the earlier termination of the case and referred it back for reconsideration. [citation: wPolityce]
READ ALSO: The President on the Kamiński and Wąsik case: the pardon was granted in accordance with the law, which was confirmed by the Constitutional Court and is still in force. The court’s ruling in the Kamiński and Wąsik case is noted, with their convictions linked to the land scandal. [citation: wPolityce]
— The Kamiński and Wąsik Conference: there is no intention to comply; they see themselves as hostages to constitutional speculation. [citation: wPolityce]
– Hołownia’s remarks about pardons and the ongoing status of mandates continue to prompt debate. The discussion touches on the practical interpretation of presidential mercy in relation to parliamentary service and the balance of powers. [citation: wPolityce]
Source: wPolityce [citation: wPolityce]