KO Launches Bid for New Ombudsman as Deadline Approaches

The Civic Coalition (KO) has begun gathering signatures to nominate attorney Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram for the position of Commissioner for Human Rights, ahead of the June 23 deadline for candidate submissions.

Mobilization Within the Civic Coalition

The term of the current Commissioner for Human Rights is nearing its end. With the submission deadline set for June 23, the Civic Coalition (KO) parliamentary club has initiated a formal signature collection process to support attorney Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram’s candidacy.

Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka confirmed the initiative on Thursday, following reports that KO club leader Zbigniew Konwiński instructed members to sign the support list located in room 109 of the Sejm.

Candidate Profile and Qualifications

Adam Szłapka described Gregorczyk-Abram as an excellent candidate, highlighting her history of providing legal support to demonstrators, including participants in the All-Poland Women’s Strike. He emphasized that the Ombudsman’s fundamental role is to defend the rule of law and stand with citizens against potential abuses of power.

Gregorczyk-Abram is a co-founder of the Free Courts initiative and the Committee for the Defense of Justice. In May 2025, she was appointed chair of a Ministry of Justice commission investigating the repression of civil society organizations and activists between 2015 and 2023.

Appointment Procedure and Timeline

The five-year term of the current Ombudsman, Professor Marcin Wiącek, expires on July 23. According to the Ombudsman Act, the Sejm appoints the successor with the Senate’s consent, based on a motion submitted by the Speaker of the Sejm or a group of 35 deputies.