President Karol Nawrocki announced the formation of a council to draft a new constitution, with initial members appointed on May 3rd and completion targeted before the end of his term.
Council Formation and Timeline
President Nawrocki will appoint the first members of the Council for the New Constitution on May 3rd, National Constitution Day, according to presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz. The council’s mandate is to prepare a draft of a new constitution before the end of President Nawrocki’s term.
Presidential Activities on May 3rd
President Nawrocki will participate in National Constitution Day celebrations on Sunday, including attending mass at St. John’s Archcathedral and ceremonies at the Royal Castle, where he will present the Order of the White Eagle and appoint members to another council – the Council for Polonia and Poles Abroad.
Composition and Objectives of the Council
The council will include representatives from parliamentary clubs and caucuses (two from each club, one from each caucus), a range of experts, and individuals with diverse perspectives on law and the current constitution. The goal is to develop a draft of a new constitution, as initially announced by President Nawrocki after his inauguration in August of last year.
Emphasis on Consensus and Deliberation
The work of the council will be substantive and focused on achieving political consensus, according to a minister. The process will involve a “brainstorming” phase, followed by the development of a joint project that will be formally processed by the Polish parliament and potentially put to a referendum.
Concluding Work During Term
According to Leśkiewicz, the work on the new constitution is expected to be completed before the end of President Nawrocki’s term. In addition to the Council for the New Constitution, the President will also establish the Council for Polonia and Poles Abroad in the coming days.
Currently, fourteen councils operate under the President, serving as broad consultative and advisory bodies based on external experts.