On Tuesday the Polish Sejm elected former New Left MP and ex‑communist Włodzimierz Czarzasty as its new marshal, prompting a PiS protest that chanted “Enough with Communism.”
Sejm elects former New Left MP Włodzimierz Czarzasty as marshal
The vote passed with 236 MPs in favor, 209 against, and two abstentions, naming Czarzasty—the New Left parliamentarian and former communist party member—as the new marshal of the Sejm.
PiS members stage protest outside plenary session
Shortly before the vote, members of the ruling party PiS left the plenary hall in protest, chanting “Enough with Communism.” Their objection focused on Czarzasty’s past service in the Polish United Workers’ Party.
Zgorzelski replies with defiant remark
In a press interview, vice‑marshal Piotr Zgorzelski said, “I could answer them with: a good communist, because he’s our communist.” He added that many former communists still lie in the broad right‑wing, noting that the population of ex‑communists is as large as that of Poland’s current population.
Other politicians weigh in on Czarzasty’s past
Former deputy prime minister Krzysztof Gawkowski described Czarzasty’s history as “mentally difficult.” Agnieszka Buczyńska of Poland 2050, who opposed his candidacy, echoed that concern.
Czarzasty dismisses criticism about his communist background
During a TVN24 interview, Czarzasty said, “I know what I did in life, I know what I do, I know what I will do. I’m a normal person who does things smarter, dumber, more reasonable, less reasonable. It doesn’t impress me.” He added at his first press conference as marshal that his past is clear and transparent and that there is nothing more to add.
