President Karol Nawrocki appointed a council tasked with drafting a new Polish constitution on Poland’s National Day, including prominent legal figures and politicians.
Council Formation and Members
The appointments were made on May 3rd at the Royal Castle. The council includes former Sejm Speakers Marek Jurek and Józef Zych, PiS MEP Ryszard Legutko, constitutional law experts Professors Anna Łabno and Ryszard Piotrowski, former Constitutional Tribunal President Julia Przyłębska, and Barbara Piwnik, a retired judge and former Justice Minister under Leszek Miller.
The council’s composition will eventually include representatives from parliamentary clubs and caucuses – two members from each club and one from each caucus.
Timeline and Objectives
The council has until the end of Karol Nawrocki’s presidency to prepare a draft of the new constitution. Presidential Spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz stated the process will involve substantive work and political consensus.
The goal is to foster debate and develop a common project that will then be formally processed by the Polish parliament, potentially culminating in a referendum.
Additional Presidential Councils
President Nawrocki recently established another council: the Council for Polonia and Poles Abroad. Konstanty Radziwiłł, a former Health Minister and Ambassador to Lithuania, will chair it, with Anna Maria Anders, former Ambassador to Italy, and Tadeusz Antoniak of the Association of Polish Army Veterans as Vice-Chairs.
Currently, fourteen councils advise the President, drawing on external experts.
Tusk Criticizes the Initiative
Prime Minister Donald Tusk dismissed the initiative as a “political game,” asserting that a constitutional majority for Nawrocki’s proposal is unlikely. He predicted further disruption and emphasized the need for stability.
Constitutional Amendment Requirements
Under the current constitution, amendments require a two-thirds majority in the Sejm, with at least 230 MPs present, and an absolute majority in the Senate.
Tusk questioned the purpose of a constitutional debate led by individuals he believes will not uphold the existing constitution, raising the possibility of discussing a shift to a presidential or chancellorial system.