President Karol Nawrocki established a New Constitution Council on May 3rd, aiming to draft a new constitution for 2030, prompting criticism from the Left party.
President Announces New Constitution Council
President Karol Nawrocki appointed the New Constitution Council on Sunday, May 3rd. The team’s objective is to develop a draft of a new constitution, as Nawrocki announced in his initial address following his inauguration.
The president envisions this as an act of a new generation for the year 2030.
Left Party Condemns Council Composition
The head of the Left club criticized the appointment, stating the average age of 70 suggests it won’t be a new constitution but a reiteration of the old one. She described the council as a one-generational group and unnecessary, given the lack of a constitutional majority for change.
Concerns Over Potential Constitutional Changes
Anna Maria Żukowska of the Left party expressed concern that the New Constitution Council could implement changes leading to a ban on abortion and a requirement for displaying crosses.
Initial Council Members Appointed
The first members appointed to the New Constitution Council include former President of the Constitutional Tribunal Julia Przyłębska; constitutional scholar Ryszard Piotrowski; Judge and former Minister of Justice Barbara Piwnik; lawyer and former Speaker of the Sejm Józef Zych; former Speaker of the Sejm Marek Jurek; Professor Ryszard Legutko; and constitutional scholar Professor Anna Łabno.
Additional Members Named
The Presidential Chancellery also announced the appointment of lawyer Piotr Andrzejewski, a democratic opposition activist during the Polish People’s Republic; sociologist and former PiS MEP Professor Zdzisław Krasnodębski; and former Mayor of Krakow Jacek Majchrowski.
Opposition to Collaboration with Przyłębska
Żukowska firmly stated that the Left party will not participate in any forum alongside Julia Przyłębska.
Concerns Over Presidential Power Grab
The Vice-President of the Left party also assessed that the president intends to change the system to a presidential one, adding that this desire for more power does not guarantee a lack of conflict. She emphasized the importance of respecting the existing constitution, stating that a constitutional majority for change is unlikely in either the current or next Sejm.