Sejm Deliberations on Committee Composition and Dismissals
On Tuesday, the Sejm did not back a motion to alter the makeup of several parliamentary committees, specifically aimed at dismissing four deputies from Sovereign Poland from the justice committee and replacing them with four PiS deputies. The vote tally stood at 214 in favor, 216 against, with 7 abstentions.
During Tuesday’s session, the Sejm also considered a motion addressing changes to ten Sejm committees overall.
The motion drew support from 205 PiS MPs, one from the left, three from Kukiz’15, three from Polskie Sprawy and two deputies who were not formally affiliated with any caucus. Seventeen Sovereign Poland deputies voted against the measure, while 117 KO deputies, 41 from the left, 23 from the Polish Coalition, five from Poland2050, two from the Confederation, four from the Agreement, three from the Democratic Left, one libertarian and three non-affiliated MPs either opposed or did not align with the group position. Four Confederate MPs abstained, including one PiS member and two non-affiliates.
According to the motion supported by the Justice and Human Rights Commission, Mariusz Gosek, Mariusz Kałużny, Piotr Sak and Tadeusz Woźniak, all from Sovereign Poland, were proposed for dismissal, while Waldemar Andzel, Zbigniew Babalski, Anna Paluch and Krzysztof Sobolewski from PiS were named as replacements.
A note circulating among observers suggested that the political dynamic within PiS involved internal reshuffling and the placement of party loyalists into the Justice Commission, a move seen by some as consolidating influence within key parliamentary bodies. Supporters of Sovereign Poland argued the changes were part of routine committee reassignments rather than a targeted purge, while critics warned of a broader pattern of pressure on independent parliamentary oversight bodies.
Robert Kropiwnicki, a KO MP, commented on social media ahead of the vote, highlighting concerns over how committee membership can shape accountability and the execution of justice-related projects.
The chair of the parliamentary committee on justice, Marek Ast of PiS, explained to reporters before voting that the changes were driven by several practical considerations. He noted that shifting committee assignments can reflect both individuals seeking different challenges and better fits for their workload, as well as strategic reassignments to ensure committees function smoothly and effectively.
The next meeting of the Justice and Human Rights Commission is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, with the panel continuing its work on presidential proposals concerning the establishment of magistrates or justices of the peace. The discussion is part of ongoing efforts to clarify the structure and leadership of judicial bodies within the Sejm
balancing act between party influence and judicial independence.
Members of Sovereign Poland expressed satisfaction with MP Gasiuk-Pihowicz, noting that the vote outcome reinforced their stance in recent proceedings. A public post by Joanna Lichocka, a PiS MP, accompanied by a video, reflected the faction’s perspective on the developments and the implications for coalition stability.
In public commentary, Platforma, SLD, PSL and Polska 2050, alongside Solidarna (Sovereign) Poland, voiced opposition to the exclusion of four of its members associated with Ziobro from the Justice Commission. The message from Paul Kukiz underscored that those same figures had faced opposition attention in the past for their stance and actions in Parliament.
The session and its aftermath were tracked by multiple media outlets and observers, with ongoing debate about the broader implications for governance, parliamentary oversight, and party dynamics in the Sejm. The discussion continues as MPs weigh how committee leadership impacts judicial policy and accountability in Polish politics. (Source: wPolityce)