The Polish Senate is set to begin debate on key legislative changes, including the dissolution of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau and revisions to electoral law.
Senate to Address Key Legislative Changes
The Senate session beginning Wednesday is expected to be one of the most intensive in recent weeks. The agenda includes a bill to dissolve the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA), changes to the Electoral Code, and new regulations concerning divorce, agricultural support, and the implementation of EU regulations.
Dissolution of the CBA
A central point of debate is the bill to dissolve the CBA, scheduled for October 1st. If passed, the agency’s tasks will be distributed among the police, the Internal Security Agency, the National Revenue Administration, and the Military Counterintelligence Service regarding anti-corruption activities.
The proposal has sparked strong political emotions. The current ruling coalition argues the CBA’s dissolution was part of the coalition agreement and represents a step towards streamlining the special services system, citing previous controversies surrounding the Bureau’s operational tools.
Pegasus Scandal and Past Controversies
Public debate has resurfaced regarding the use of the Pegasus system against opposition politicians, including Krzysztof Brejzy, as well as previous high-profile cases like the 2007 land affair and allegations concerning Aleksander Kwaśniewski’s property purchase. Supporters of the dissolution argue these cases undermined public trust in state institutions.
Opposition Criticism and Political Motivations
Opposition representatives, primarily from Law and Justice, view the proposed changes as politically motivated, arguing the CBA’s dissolution could reduce the state’s effectiveness in combating corruption and represents an attempt to settle scores with officials who investigated current authorities.
Potential Presidential Veto
Concerns exist that even if the Senate approves the bill, it could be blocked by a presidential veto, leading to further dispute at the highest levels of power.
Electoral Code Changes and Commission Rules
The Senate will also consider amendments to the Electoral Code aimed at increasing transparency and reducing potential irregularities.
Key changes concern the nomination of members of constituency electoral commissions. New regulations stipulate that only committees that actually register candidate lists will have the right to nominate members, potentially requiring the collection of at least 100,000 signatures for presidential elections.
The introduction of a secretary position within constituency electoral commissions is also planned. Appointed by the electoral commissioner in cooperation with local authorities, the secretary will oversee the organizational aspects of voting, including verifying results and co-creating the official protocol.
Changes to Family Law: No-Fault Divorce
Senators will also address amendments to the Family and Guardianship Code, introducing the possibility of divorce outside of court in certain cases, specifically where both parties agree on the separation and have no minor children.
This would significantly simplify procedures and reduce the burden on courts, which currently handle hundreds of thousands of family law cases annually, with over 60,000 divorces filed each year in Poland.
Agricultural Support and Market Regulation
The Senate agenda includes a bill amending the Agricultural Protection Fund Act, significantly increasing the maximum compensation amount for agricultural producer groups that have not received payment for delivered products, from the equivalent of €50,000 to €300,000.
EU Law Alignment and Aviation Regulations
The Senate will also consider bills aligning Polish legislation with EU regulations, including the creation of a European single access point for financial information and amendments to the Aviation Law to implement EU requirements for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
