Sejm leaders discuss the path to a new government in Poland
Today a meeting took place between the Sejm chair Szymon Hołownia and Donald Tusk, the leader of KO, at 10 a.m. The discussion focused on the second constitutional step needed to form a government after the current cabinet led by Mateusz Morawiecki failed to secure a vote of confidence in the Sejm.
During a press conference in Krakow yesterday, Hołownia was asked whether he had already spoken with Donald Tusk about forming a new government in the event that Morawiecki’s government is rejected, and whether any decisions about timing had been reached, with Tusk mentioning December 11 or 12 as possible dates.
We have an appointment tomorrow and we will talk about that,
responded the Sejm chairman, adding that the decision rests with Donald Tusk. He noted that the former prime minister must decide how he wants the process to unfold.
It will be Prime Minister Tusk’s decision, since he makes the calls. Would he prefer that the prime minister is elected on the same day in the evening, with a presentation and a vote on the government’s composition on December 12, so that a Polish prime minister would be in place that day? Or should all three elements be completed late in the evening on a single day? Hołownia asked whether Tusk might prefer that the events of December 11 be concluded for the Morawiecki scenario, and that December 12 would see the appointment of the prime minister and a presentation and vote on cabinet ministers.
Hołownia stressed that he is merely the custodian of formal matters related to the process. He emphasized ongoing collaboration with top specialists at the Chancellery of the Sejm.
Hołownia also indicated that a parliamentary motion is likely to be tabled to change the Sejm’s procedural rules regarding voting methods in the second step.
According to the chair, the Sejm will receive a briefing from Prime Minister Morawiecki on December 11 at 10 p.m. An ensuing vote of confidence in the government is expected around 3 p.m. A pause will follow to allow for the nomination of candidates for the premiership in the second constitutional step.
President Andrzej Duda has already sworn in the Morawiecki government formed after the general elections in what is called the first constitutional step. Within fourteen days of the cabinet swearing-in, the prime minister must submit a motion for a vote of confidence in the Sejm, a deadline that falls on December 11.
If the first step fails, the Sejm takes the initiative again. A candidate for prime minister can be proposed by a group of at least 46 MPs. The Sejm elects the prime minister and the government by an absolute majority with at least half of the deputies present. The president then appoints the elected government and administers the oath.
In the October 15 elections, PiS won 194 seats, falling short of a majority of 231. KO won 157 seats, Trzecia Droga 65, New Left 26, and Konfederacja 18.
On November 10, a coalition agreement was initialed by Donald Tusk of Civic Platform, Szymon Hołownia of Poland 2050, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz of the Polish People’s Party, and Włodzimierz Tsazarzasty and Robert Biedroń of the New Left. The coalition’s candidate for prime minister is Donald Tusk.
Further reading mentions discussions about Andrzej Duda’s possible decision in relation to Tusk. Commentaries note that the president does not appoint the prime minister directly and that the candidate is nominated from the Sejm floor. There are also concerns about potential implications for companies if coalition plans move forward as proposed.
Source: wPolityce