President Andrzej Duda nominated Antoni Macierewicz to become the Senior Marshal of the Sejm, and Barbara Borys-Damięcka - the Senior Marshal of the Senate - spokesperson for the President, Błażej Spychalski, informed on Tuesday. "I shall be carrying out my duties with the sense of responsibility for Poland's entire struggle for independence, and the Polish nation's decision expressed in the recent elections," Macierewicz said.
At a press briefing on Tuesday in front of the Presidential Palace, the presidential spokesperson, Błażej Spychalski, informed that the first session of the Sejm would begin on Tuesday, November 12, at noon. The first session of the Senate is to commence the same day at 4 pm.
Senior Marshals
The President has nominated Antoni Macierewicz as the Senior Marshal of the Sejm, and Barbara Borys-Damięcka as the Senior Marshal of the Senate - the spokesperson announced.
"The President very much wanted, just like in 2015, to nominate as the Senior Marshal of the Sejm someone who had a beautiful anti-communist past, someone who had accomplished much for Poland, especially this year, which marked the 30th anniversary of the first partially free elections. Hence the decision to make Mr Antoni Macierewicz the Senior Marshal of the Sejm," Spychalski said.
He also informed that the President would take part in the first sessions of both houses. "President addresses to both the Sejm and the Senate are planned," he added.
First sessions of both houses
In the case of the Sejm, the first session of the new term will be commenced by the Senior Marshal, appointed by the President from among the MPs oldest by age, although the candidate doesn't have to be the oldest. The Senior Marshal conducts the MP oath ceremony, as well as the appointment of the new Marshal of the Sejm, who then takes over the chairmanship.
The first session of the Senate of the new term is opened by the President who appoints the Senior Marshal who is the oldest senator by age. In case when the President is unavailable to open the session, the Senior Marshal takes over this duty. The Senior Marshal also conducts the senatorial oath ceremony, and the appointment of the Marshal of the Senate, who then takes over the chairmanship.
Macierewicz accepts
Antoni Macierewicz informed that he had accepted the president's decision.
"I shall be carrying my duties with the sense of responsibility for the Poland's entire struggle for independence, and the Polish nation's decision expressed in the recent election," he pledged.
"Accomplished figure"
The deputy spokesperson for the PiS party, Radosław Fogiel, was also asked about the president's decision. "It's not my role to assess president's choices, as the choosing the Senior Marshal is an exclusive prerogative of the Polish President," he replied, but added that Macierewicz "is a figure extraordinarily accomplished in the fight for independence restoration". He also added that Macierewicz was one of the founders and long-standing active member of democratic opposition, co-founder of the Workers' Defense Committee, and long-standing MP.
"Given what is expected of a Senior Marshal, I find absolutely no shortcomings in this candidacy," said PiS deputy spokesperson.
To the remark that Macierewicz is not perceived as a conciliatory person, Fogiel replied that he didn't strike him as such man.
"I have spoken with him many times and I've never had such impression," he added.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP