The Sejm Speaker seeks counsel on the fate of two MPs
Recently, discussions were announced to begin the following day regarding the parliamentary mandates of Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik. The plan involves talks with key figures including the head of the Ministry of Justice, Attorney General Adam Bodnar, the nation’s human rights commissioner Marcin Wiącek, and Sylwester Marciniak, the chair of the National Electoral Commission. These consultations, reported by the Polish Press Agency, set the stage for a broader review of parliamentary mandates.
Consultation aims outlined by the Speaker
The Speaker of the Sejm intends to obtain guidance on whether Kamiński and Wąsik should retain their seats. A briefing was scheduled for tomorrow at 1 p.m. with the Minister of Justice, followed by discussions with the Commissioner for Human Rights and a meeting with retired judges later in the day. On Monday afternoon, the Speaker planned a session with former judges, and Tuesday morning would bring a dialogue with the National Electoral Commission chair. The goal is to assess the proper course as the matter unfolds.
Background on the two cases
Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik have faced legal action following a court ruling in December of the previous year that established a two-year prison sentence tied to a controversial land deal. In response, the Speaker of the Sejm initiated proceedings aiming to determine whether their parliamentary mandates should end. Early in January, appeals were filed with the Supreme Court by both Kamiński and Wąsik against the Speaker’s mandate termination decision, submitted through the Sejm’s leadership. The following days saw the Supreme Court’s Extraordinary Control Chamber decide to transfer the case to its Chamber for Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs, with news reports indicating a temporary reversal of the Speaker’s mandate termination in Wąsik’s case and, subsequently, in Kamiński’s case as well. Such developments illustrate the ongoing judicial review of the parliamentary status of these two figures.
President Andrzej Duda had previously signaled, in a letter to the Speaker, that the application of a presidential pardon in 2015 to Kamiński and Wąsik, who were later convicted at first instance, removed grounds for ending their mandates. The President’s Office later confirmed that a second act of mercy would not be forthcoming, noting that the presidential pardon had already been applied in a manner that stands as final under the law.
Today, questions arose about whether another act of clemency might be considered. A spokesperson from the President’s Office expressed that the pardon had already served its purpose and did not anticipate a new grant. The situation has raised debates about the appropriate balance between legislative authority and the acquittal or punishment determined by the judiciary.
Observers have noted that the Speaker’s approach, framed as narrow and procedural, has drawn comments about the separation of powers. Critics argued that attempts to influence the judiciary from the legislative chamber could blur important lines between branches of government. The question for many remains whether the Speaker’s actions align with constitutional roles or risk overstepping into judicial functions.
Context for readers includes a wider discussion on how political figures handle accountability and the potential consequences for governance. There is an ongoing discourse about the role of pardons and the way they intersect with formal mandates, public trust, and the integrity of institutions involved in oversight and elections.
Interest in the case continues to trigger commentary from across political circles and media outlets. Analysts watch especially for outcomes that might affect the Sejm’s ability to function and the public perception of the checks and balances guaranteed by law. As the consultations proceed, observers will be looking for clarity on how future actions could shape the status of Kamiński and Wąsik, and what those steps might mean for the legislative process and the administration of justice.
PAP/rdm
Source: wPolityce