The Sejm Justice and Human Rights Committee has formally endorsed the government coalition’s candidate for the Constitutional Tribunal ahead of the full parliamentary vote scheduled for June 11.
Committee Selection Results
During Tuesday’s session, 33 members of the Sejm Justice and Human Rights Committee cast their votes. Sławomir Patyra secured the committee’s support with 18 votes in favor and 15 against, while Artur Kotowski received 15 votes in favor and 18 against. No abstentions were recorded for either candidate.
Candidate Profiles and Nominations
Sławomir Patyra, a constitutionalist from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, was nominated by the Civic Coalition, The Left, and the PSL-Third Way coalition. Artur Kotowski, a legal scholar from Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, was nominated by PiS for the seventh consecutive time.
Upcoming Vote and Tribunal Vacancy
The Sejm is set to conduct the final vote on Thursday, June 11. This appointment is required to fill the vacancy left by Judge Andrzej Zielonacki, whose nine-year term concludes on June 28.
Ongoing Disputes Over Tribunal Composition
The appointment process remains contentious following the election of six judges in March. While two judges were sworn in by the President, the remaining four—who took oaths in the Sejm without the President present—have been barred from their duties by Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski.
Legislative Procedures
Under current regulations, the Sejm elects Constitutional Tribunal judges by an absolute majority for nine-year terms, provided at least half of the statutory number of deputies are present. Candidates must be nominated by at least 50 deputies or the Sejm Presidium.