Comments on the Amendment of The Standing Orders of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Dated 26 March 2020
- Institution: University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7837-0963
- Year of publication: 2020
- Source: Show
- Pages: 87-98
- DOI Address: https://doi.org/10.15804/ppk.2020.05.06
- PDF: ppk/57/ppk5706.pdf
On 26 March 2020, by a resolution adopted on 26 March 2020, the Standing Orders of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland were amended to allow the sessions to be conducted using electronic means of remote communication. These amendments raise serious reservations as to their constitutionality. This is due to the fact that the Constitution of 1997 stipulates that the Sejm and Senate shall meet at sessions, while the meeting, being a concept that has been defined, is defined as the assembly of MPs in one place in order to consider the matter under discussion. In addition, as parliamentary practice has demonstrated, the changes introduced have generated a number of problems related to Deputies’ attendance at such remote sessions, participation in debates and casting votes. As a consequence, this may lead to weakening of the legitimacy of the work of the Chamber and a reduction in the capacity to exercise the mandate.