The Polish president, Andrzej Duda, spoke about the government formation during a visit to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. Asked about a possible second constitutional step, he affirmed that any move would comply with constitutional deadlines and processes, stressing that there would be no delays.
The President: No Delay in Forming the Government
While in Dubai for the climate summit, President Andrzej Duda answered questions from reporters about the plan to appoint a government in the scenario known as the second constitutional step. This step would come into play if Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s government fails to secure a vote of confidence.
He reiterated his stance: there would be no postponement. The president underscored that constitutional deadlines must be respected and that actions would proceed in line with parliamentary, electoral, and political traditions, as well as the letter of the constitution and related arrangements tied to Poland’s international commitments.
“I will not drag this out. I will move forward in a quiet, orderly manner, honoring our constitutional framework and the practices we follow in our political system,” Duda stated. He noted that he had previously transferred authority to Morawiecki to form a new government immediately after the resignation, though he could have waited a few days longer.
Reassuring remarks followed: everything would be done in line with constitutional provisions and deadlines. The president emphasized that promises would be kept and that due process would guide every step of the process.
In the same press engagement, readers were reminded of ongoing political debates and the various voices surrounding the top echelons of government and opposition. Several items of discussion centered on the handling and interpretation of constitutional procedures, as well as the political calculations at play in the lead-up to forming a new cabinet.
Update on the Russian Influence Committee
Another topic at the press conference was the partial leak of the committee’s report investigating Russian influence. The president was asked to comment on the committee’s findings and the implications for state security.
Earlier in the week, the Sejm had dismissed eight members of the State Commission charged with examining Russian influence in Poland’s internal security between 2007 and 2022. Names cited included Sławomir Cenckiewicz, Andrzej Zybertowicz, Przemysław Żurawski vel Grajewski, Łukasz Ciegotura, Marek Szymaniak, Arkadiusz Puławski, Andrzej Kowalski, and Michał Wojnowski. A interim report covering three months of work was presented on the same day, with recommendations that several public figures, including Donald Tusk, Jacek Cichocki, Bogdan Klich, Tomasz Siemoniak, and Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, should not hold certain state security roles in the future.
The president remarked that the committee had voiced its position, presenting a body of documents and evidence related to Mr. Donald Tusk’s activities, including his time as prime minister. He reminded the public that citizens have the right to judge and that these materials had already been made available for review.
According to the president, the committee acted to reflect the will of the people and to uphold democratic principles by bringing important issues into public discourse. He highlighted that the most recent elections demonstrated high turnout and that parliamentary and constitutional processes were now moving forward toward forming a new government.
Regarding the possibility that Morawiecki would secure a parliamentary majority to support his cabinet, the president suggested that if such a majority does not emerge, the second constitutional step would be invoked, and the parliamentary body would nominate a prime minister candidate in line with constitutional rules.
He underscored one clear message: the process would adhere strictly to constitutional norms and never bypass the rules that underpin Poland’s democratic system.
Response to the Dismissal of Committee Members
When asked about the Sejm’s decision to dismiss members of the Committee on Russian Influence, the president replied that the Sejm possesses the autonomous right to decide. He described MPs as representatives chosen by voters and emphasized that their mandate reflects the will of society.
He added that political campaigns begin not on election night but during the post-election period, with ongoing attempts to influence public opinion and the continuity of public service under close scrutiny by citizens. The president’s comments framed a broader view: voters will assess and judge politicians as events unfold in the future.
Earlier in the year, the law establishing the commission to examine Russian influence on internal security was enacted at the initiative of the ruling party and subsequently signed into law by the president. The process included a plan to bring matters before the Constitutional Court and a sequence of legislative steps, culminating in the amendment that entered into effect later in the year. The evolving legal framework and committee actions were widely discussed in public discourse and among analysts. These developments were cited in coverage that explored the evolving balance of power and accountability in Poland’s political system.
Additional readings and reflections on the committee’s work and its findings circulated in media discussions, with commentators weighing the significance of the commission’s conclusions for future policy and national security. In this ongoing conversation, observers continued to assess how the government and opposition might respond to the evolving landscape of political accountability.
— A summary of the week’s events and their implications for Poland’s governance was prepared for readers by reporters and analysts. The story shows how constitutional processes, political rhetoric, and public accountability intersect in a dynamic, living democracy. Analysts noted that the pageant of decisions and debates would keep shaping Poland’s political horizon as new parliamentary formations emerge.
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