Karol Nawrocki appointed members to a new Constitutional Reform Council on May 3rd, despite one member already expressing opposition to a constitutional reset.
Council Members Appointed
Karol Nawrocki appointed the members of the New Constitution Council on Sunday, May 3rd. The members are: Marek Jurek, Prof. Ryszard Legutko, Prof. Anna Łabno, Barbara Piwnik, Julia Przyłębska, Józef Zych, Piotr Andrzejewski, Prof. Zdzisław Krasnodębski, Prof. Jacek Majchrowski, and Prof. Ryszard Piotrowski.
President Calls for Debate on Constitutional Change
The council’s purpose is to facilitate debate on constitutional changes requested by the President. The President stated, “We are starting work on a constitution of a new generation for 2030. I thank the professionals, I thank the brave people. Thank you for representing various communities.”
He emphasized that the diverse viewpoints of council members will ensure a “fair debate.” The Presidential Palace has also sent invitations to parliamentary groups, hoping for the participation of “all representatives of the Polish Sejm” in the work on the new constitution. Experts in “many social fields” will also be appointed.
Council Member Opposes Constitutional Reset
Prof. Piotrowski stated, “We do not need any reset, we do not need any new constitution. People should change, change their approach to the state and the law, before it is too late. And that is the position I will present within the framework of the constitutional council’s work.” He stated his position has been consistent and known to Nawrocki.
He added, “All the more I respect the President’s decision to appoint me to this body, apparently in the name of pluralism.”
Reactions to Piotrowski’s Statement
Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz, a Member of the European Parliament from Civic Coalition (KO), commented, “This idea of Nawrocki’s regarding constitutional change lived shorter than a fruit fly.”
Maciej Bałtowski, a professor of economics at UMCS in Lublin, wrote, “Has Dr. hab. Piotrowski withdrawn from the President’s Constitutional Council? Quickly.”
Calls for a Council on Judiciary Reform
Dominika Wielowieyska, a journalist for “Gazeta Wyborcza” and TOK FM, wrote, “Not a constitutional council, but a council on the judiciary is needed. And let Prof. Ryszard Piotrowski head it. The council should include people not associated with any political option. Perhaps they could reach a compromise on the appointment of the National Council of the Judiciary and regulate the status of neo-judges, resolve the burning problem of the Supreme Court, which is infected with illegality, and through this we are losing in international courts.”
She continued, “A legal Round Table could develop compromise solutions, parliament would pass them, and the President would sign them. Unfortunately, the President is implementing the orders of Nowogrodzka, which is interested in deep polarization. Because Jarosław Kaczyński sees an opportunity to improve the PiS’s ratings in this.”
