In a recent development, Marshal of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia confirmed that he signed documents designating three individuals as having priority to take a mandate in the European Parliament. Among those named is Włodzimierz Karpiński, who is under scrutiny amid corruption allegations.
Karpiński, a former secretary at the Warsaw City Hall and a former minister in the PO-PSL government, has been in custody since February. He remains connected to a waste-management controversy in Warsaw, where prosecutors allege involvement in contracts tied to waste handling and disposal services.
During the 2019 European Parliament elections, Karpiński stood on the European Coalition list. He did not receive a seat at that time, as Krzysztof Hetman won the mandate and later moved to the Sejm in October. Joanna Mucha, who would have been elected under Hetman, also became a member of the Sejm. The next eligible candidate to receive a mandate was Riad Haidar, but his passing in May altered the lineup. Consequently, the next person on the list, Karpiński, became the focus for the EP seat.
When questioned about the decision rounds concerning Karpiński’s potential mandate, Hołownia indicated that the documents exist and have been issued to three individuals, outlining their priority status for a European Parliament seat.
Hołownia stated that the act was not a political signal but a routine state procedure lingering from the previous administration. The act simply reflects an official operational duty rather than policy direction.
In a discussion about the notion of an “official act”, Hołownia explained that the office sent letters on Tuesday to Karpiński and two other lawmakers, informing them of their priority status for a parliamentary mandate. The next step for those named is to consider the offer, read the letter, and decide whether to accept or decline the mandate.
According to Hołownia, all prior statements made on this matter were not legally binding. The Sejm Speaker emphasized that there must be a formal room to assume the mandate and to establish who holds priority, followed by the provision of individual responses. He confirmed that the necessary documents had been received from the office the previous day.
Hołownia further noted that two additional documents would be issued that day, underscoring the formal and procedural nature of the act.
On the political side, three MEPs who held seats on the European Parliament list — Krzysztof Hetman (Trzecia Droga), Zbigniew Kuźmiuk (PiS), and Bartosz Arłukowicz (Civic Coalition) — have since returned to the Sejm, leaving their EP mandates vacant.
Under Electoral Law, the Marshal of the Sejm informs the next candidate from the same list who accrued the highest vote tally, identifying their priority to fill the European Parliament seat left vacant by the expired mandate. The candidate must submit an acceptance declaration within seven days of receiving formal notification; failure to do so results in relinquishing the priority to fill the seat.
Additional coverage noted that prosecutors are seeking extensions related to Karpiński’s detention, while a separate discussion highlighted the evolving norms surrounding rule of law in this case. The reporting remains focused on procedural steps and the interplay between parliamentary rules and ongoing investigations.
Commentary from officials and analysts continues to frame these events as routine constitutional processes rather than political maneuvering. The unfolding situation highlights how parliamentary lists and electoral law intersect with legal inquiries and the timing of mandate transfers.
As the situation develops, observers in Warsaw and beyond watch closely how the priority nominations will translate into actual seats in the European Parliament, and how the individuals named will respond to the formal notification and the option to accept or reject a potential mandate. This sequence underscores the structured mechanics that govern European representation in Poland and the ongoing scrutiny surrounding leaders and candidates connected to recent policy and governance concerns.
Source: wPolityce