On Tuesday, Włodzimierz Czarzasty was elected Marshal of the Polish Sejm, signaling a reshuffle of parliamentary leadership and the start of his reform agenda, including a ban on alcohol sales inside the chamber.
New Marshal Sworn in
In accordance with the coalition agreement, Czarzasty was elected the new Marshal of the Sejm on Tuesday, while his predecessor Szymon Hołownia became one of his deputy chairs. The leadership swap saw the head of Polska 2050 taking over the former Marshal’s office, and Czarzasty moving into the room reserved for the Sejm’s second deputy.
Immediate Reforms in the Sejm
Within a week, Czarzasty signed an order banning the sale of alcohol on Sejm premises and announced changes to the “kilometre rule” governing MPs’ travel reimbursements, effective from January. The first week of his mandate also saw the appointment of Marek Siwiec as head of the Sejm Chancellery, a seasoned former MP, European parliamentarian, and former deputy chair of the European Parliament.
Preparing a Confrontational Speech
By Friday evening, Czarzasty’s first televised address was set for 20:00 on 21 November. The speech, prepared with input from a new KSRP chief, is expected to take a strong, confrontational tone on domestic issues, particularly tensions between the government and the presidency.
Escalating President‑Government Disputes
The new Marshal’s remarks come amid a series of clashes between the president and the government, beginning with October vetoes on bills, refusal to approve certain promotions, and public criticisms of the EU. Calls for “psychological and political preparation for a Polexit” from ministers have further heightened the conflict.
Czarzasty’s Bid for Party Leadership
Czarzasty is likely to announce his candidacy for the chair of Nowa Lewica in early December, a third attempt since 2016. Other contenders include Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski and Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz‑Bąk, while party leadership elections continue up to mid‑December.
