The Sejm adopted changes to its Rules of Procedure focused on improving how votes are counted during the Prime Minister’s selection and on making parliamentary committees more efficient in budget matters. The proposed reforms were presented by the Deputies’ Presidium, highlighting that the second constitutional step in Prime Ministerial elections would follow general principles. In practice, voting would be by show of hands with a vote counting device, while roll-call voting would remain an optional option that the Sejm could choose to use depending on the situation.
The amendments aim to streamline the work of the Finance Committee in the area of the state budget and to prevent delays caused by timing issues. Specifically, the changes provide that the Finance Committee’s work continues as long as the relevant committee submits its position within the designated period, even if other steps are in progress. This allows for quicker consideration of budget items without stalling related proceedings.
The explanatory statement notes that the Presidium of the Sejm sets deadlines for delivering conclusions, opinions, or proposed amendments together with reasons to the committees responsible for the budget allocations. The current rules do not specify what happens if those committees fail to submit timely positions.
The PiS and Confederation amendments were rejected
In Thursday’s vote, 244 deputies supported the changes to the Rules of the Sejm, 203 opposed them, and there were no abstentions. Proposals from PiS and Confederation MPs did not gain approval.
During the debate on Wednesday, Deputy Marshal Monika Wielichowska spoke about the Prime Minister election in the second constitutional step, noting that the plan moves away from the archaic roll-call method where signatures were left on a ballot. The new approach emphasizes general principles and modern voting practices.
Kazimierz Smoliński criticized the change to the Finance Committee’s role, arguing that it would undermine the quality of work on state finances and weaken the Sejm’s oversight of the budget. Jarosław Urbaniak pointed out that the proposed changes delete one of the most outdated provisions, removing the rigid roll-call voting method for selecting the Prime Minister in the second constitutional step.
Michał Wawer criticized the budget governance changes, suggesting that parliamentary committees may not need to engage deeply because the Public Finance Committee could handle the budget on its own, and other committees would not be required to contribute further amendments.
On Thursday, the Sejm also rejected amendments from Kazimierz Smoliński to the draft changes.
The proposal includes an obligation for all parliamentary clubs and groups to submit declarations of support or opposition to the Council of Ministers. Smoliński reiterated on Wednesday that this would also apply to the possibility of asking questions to the Prime Minister and ministers.
He also announced that the amendments would allow the President of the Sejm to yield the floor to the head of a parliamentary club, with a limit of one speech per agenda item.
Additionally, the plan would replace the current routine of information requests about ongoing matters with a system of questions directed to the Prime Minister and members of the Council of Ministers.
The Confederation called for a lifting of the so‑called parliamentary freeze, arguing that a pledge had been made by the Marshal of the Sejm. Their rejected amendment proposed that the first reading of a draft law or resolution should occur no later than six months from the date of its submission in writing to the President of the Sejm.
kk/PAP
Source: wPolityce