MP Katarzyna Piekarska Collapses in Parliament Amid Dispute

Opposition MP Katarzyna Piekarska collapsed in the Sejm on Thursday afternoon shortly after confronting Law and Justice (PiS) members over allegations regarding her medical treatment.

Medical incident in the Sejm

The incident occurred on Thursday, June 18, shortly before 1:00 PM. According to PiS MP Kazimierz Smoliński, Piekarska approached their members following a vote, appearing highly emotional. When she collapsed, those nearby shouted for help and attempted to revive her.

Katarzyna Sójka, an MP and former Minister of Health, provided immediate medical assistance. Piekarska was eventually able to stand with the help of colleagues and left the chamber supported by the Marshal’s Guard. The session resumed after a brief intermission.

The source of the confrontation

The confrontation stemmed from a display set up by the PiS club in the Sejm, which suggested that certain Coalition Civic (KO) politicians, including Piekarska, had received preferential treatment at the Warsaw South Hospital. Piekarska maintained these claims were false, noting she receives oncological treatment in Olsztyn.

KO MP Zbigniew Konwiński stated that this dispute was the subject of Piekarska’s conversation with the PiS members immediately preceding her collapse. He noted on social media that the graphic in question falsely implied she had skipped hospital queues.

Battling breast cancer

Piekarska has been open about her ongoing health challenges. After first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, she experienced a recurrence last year and underwent a mastectomy in November 2025.

The MP has previously shared her story to raise awareness, recounting how she discovered the disease by chance when she encountered a mobile mammography unit. She frequently emphasizes the prevalence of the disease, noting that early detection is critical for survival in the face of high mortality rates among Polish women.