The Polish Sejm will begin the process of selecting a new Human Rights Ombudsman, with nominations accepted until June 23rd, following the end of Marcin Wiącek’s term on July 23rd.
Ombudsman Replacement Process Initiated
Sejm Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty announced the commencement of the procedure for submitting candidacies for the position of Human Rights Ombudsman. Nominations can be submitted until June 23rd.
The current Ombudsman, Marcin Wiącek’s, term expires on July 23rd. Czarzasty emphasized there is ample time to submit nominations.
Eligibility Requirements for the Position
According to the law, candidates must be Polish citizens with demonstrated legal expertise, professional experience, and high moral authority, along with social sensitivity.
The Sejm appoints the Ombudsman with the consent of the Senate, based on a nomination from the Sejm Speaker or a group of 35 deputies. The Sejm’s detailed procedure for nominating candidates will be outlined in a resolution.
Term Length and Historical Context
The Ombudsman’s term lasts five years, starting from the date of taking the oath before the Sejm. An individual cannot serve as Ombudsman for more than two terms.
Previous Selection Attempts
Professor Wiącek was appointed Human Rights Ombudsman on July 23, 2021, after six attempts to select a new Ombudsman following the expiration of Adam Bodnar’s five-year term on September 9, 2020.
Previously, the Sejm twice rejected the candidacy of Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz. The Senate did not consent to the selection of Piotr Wawrzyk, Bartłomiej Wróblewski (both PiS MPs), and Lidia Staroń (independent Senator) as candidates.