Current discussions are underway about shaping the Presidium of the Sejm, and the next few days will reveal how the process will unfold, according to Szymon Hołownia, the leader of Poland 2050. He confirmed that his bid for the Sejm presidency is on the table, though not everyone has agreed yet.
Hołownia, when pressed by reporters inside the Sejm about backing Elżbieta Witek of PiS for deputy chair, replied that negotiations on the Sejm Presidium’s composition are ongoing and that the coming days will show how things settle. He noted that the Sejm will determine whether all political blocs should have representation in the Presidium and that conversations with all parliamentary groups are happening now.
Asked if a seat for a PiS representative could be created, Hołownia suggested the only condition would be that the candidate has no pending investigations before the State Tribunal or an investigative committee in the new term. He added that the party has not yet proposed a candidate for the role.
The idea that Elżbieta Witek might be chosen remains in discussion. It seems PiS will have a deputy chair in the Presidium, but the final choice is still unclear. These informal talks and formal consultations are continuing, with a decision expected within days, possibly by Monday, Hołownia indicated.
When asked if Hołownia’s bid for the Sejm presidency was guaranteed, he answered that the proposal is on the table, though not all issues have been agreed. He explained that the matter is framed so they can make a public statement when the moment is right, but it is still under consideration.
The plan is to first elect a marshal, followed by the more awaited second phase on Monday, November 13, which will see the Presidium of the Sejm chosen.
Hołownia expressed a desire for the Sejm to operate efficiently and to shed its circus image. He stressed that it should become a place people are proud of and where diverse viewpoints can be reconciled. He cautioned that there would be no brawling over committees or Presidium seats, aiming for a fresh, high-quality Sejm.
He also indicated that the Sejm lobby would not be opened indiscriminately to journalists, noting security considerations. While it is understood that journalists should be allowed access at practical points like the Marshal’s corridor, behind-the-scenes access might be restricted if security dictates it. Any changes would be discussed with the Marshal’s Guard, he said.
Hołownia added that barriers would disappear eventually, signaling a shift toward openness balanced with safety measures.
Sawicki on expected coalition shape
During the PSL club’s first meeting on Thursday, Marek Sawicki, a PSL member, indicated that the negotiations’ outcome, the form of the coalition agreement, and how ministries will be divided should become clearer. He noted that the PSL leadership approval of the contract is not strictly required but could help ensure smooth progress.
That same day, President Andrzej Duda planned to appoint the Senior Marshal of the Sejm and the Senate. The appointments were discussed with PSL’s Sawicki and PiS Senator Michał Seweryński, who prepared to meet the President on Thursday afternoon.
Sawicki later told PAP that the PSL club’s Thursday meeting would likely be postponed to 3 PM due to the president’s schedule. He quipped about meeting in the near term to confirm the next steps.
He mentioned plans for the PSL to invite Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Piotr Zgorzelski to join the leadership in the upcoming rounds. He reiterated that the first PSL club session would likely illuminate how opposition talks concluded and what the coalition agreement might look like, including who would handle which ministries and committee duties according to party group arrangements.
When asked if the coalition agreement would be finalized on Thursday, Sawicki suggested that internal discussions should be sufficient for Kosiniak-Kamysz to relay the details to the club. He stressed that the PSL’s Supreme Council had given the party leader broad power to negotiate and finalize a coalition both in government and in the Sejm, and while formal approval from the party’s Executive Committee is not strictly required, some level of consent would likely be sought to maintain legal harmony. He added that the National Electoral Commission could meet as needed.
Discussing ongoing collaboration with Poland 2050 as part of the Third Way initiative, Sawicki anticipated a productive opening session for both parliamentary clubs and a commitment to close federal cooperation, joint decisions on key issues, and autonomy in voting choices.
In late October, Hołownia announced the existence of two Sejm clubs: Polska 2050 and Trzecia Droga, with the two parties pursuing a formal cooperation agreement. Kosiniak-Kamysz, leader of PSL, described a new structure forming a confederation of the two clubs, signaling deeper cooperation and plans to participate in local elections. In the October 15 Sejm elections, PiS led with 194 seats, KO held 157, Trzecia Droga had 65, Nowa Lewica 26, and Konfederacja 18.
President Duda later said he would task Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki with forming the government. If the mission fails, the Sejm would move to nominate another candidate for the premiership, with PiS holding a 37-seat shortfall for an outright majority. KO controls 157 seats, Trzecia Droga 65, Nowa Lewica 26, totaling 248 MPs among governing blocs. KO, Trzecia Droga, and Nowa Lewica signaled a coalition agreement toward a future government led by Donald Tusk, with Friday as the likely date for signing, and a firm plan to complete it before November 11. Kierwiński, KO’s secretary, indicated those timelines in a recent briefing. He noted that the coalition’s leaders planned to finalize arrangements before the upcoming weekend and that the PSL’s president would oversee the coalition strategy and its formal approval processes, including any necessary parliamentary club briefings. The focus remained on building a stable parliamentary majority to guide the new government’s formation.
Budka criticized the action of the Sejm marshal, Elżbieta Witek, and said the party leaders would decide whether to appoint individuals who will not sit in the Presidium or grant discretionary authority. He emphasized that a unified approach across clubs would be sought, while respecting the autonomy of each group in nominating candidates. He also indicated that a public display of the Presidium lineup would not be expected immediately, and further discussions would take place in upcoming meetings.
Journalists pressed Budka on whether Witek would attend the proceedings, and he responded by reiterating his negative view of the marshal’s previous moves and clarifying that the ultimate decision rested with party leaders. He suggested that a uniform stance among clubs would emerge but stressed that the Presidium and Senate must reflect the majority’s dynamics for the term ahead.
Budka recalled that in the current term PiS controlled the Sejm chair and two deputy speakers, which helped secure a majority, and he warned against assuming the minority would wield decisive influence in the Presidium this term. He argued that the Sejm should function efficiently with a capable marshal and Presidium, where the majority from democratic parties would shape direction.
These discussions and changing alignments depict a Sejm in transition, striving for steady governance and a more transparent operation that can withstand scrutiny and diverse viewpoints.
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