Polish Confederation leader Sławomir Mentzen said on Radio ZET that banning alcohol in the Sejm would destroy parliamentary relationships and make the house less human, after a hotel incident reignited the debate.
Mentzen Voices Opposition to a Ban
Sławomir Mentzen told Radio ZET that removing beer from parliamentary meetings would cut off essential informal ties among lawmakers. He said, “If we stop meeting over beer, we will simply lose contact with each other.”
Mentzen added that a prohibition would make the Sejm a “less human place” and sarcastically asked who cares who drinks beer with whom, countering the idea that the policy should depend on who is drinking.
Alcohol Incident Sparks Debate
The discussion renewed after media reports of a politicos’ party at a parliamentary hotel during the new president’s inauguration. The event featured loud singing and was interrupted by the Marshal’s Guard.
While the public reacted strongly, most parliamentarians remain unconcerned. A Radio ZET poll found that 88 % of respondents supported a ban, yet politicians across parties largely agree it is unnecessary.
Parliamentary Response Across Parties
Robert Telus of PiS noted that living alcohol-free is a personal choice and called a prohibition an overreaction. Marcin Józefaciuk from the Civic Coalition said the hotel is not the Sejm and sees no problem with alcohol.
Bolesław Piecha of PiS argued a glass of wine at dinner is harmless, while Dariusz Wieczorek from the Left reminded that a ban would not change behaviour: “If there’s no beer in the restaurant, people will bring their own.”
