Senate rejects Lidia Staroń as human rights commissioner

Poland's upper house rejects ruling PiS party candidate for ombudswoman

Źródło: TVN24

On Friday at 10:30, the Senate began examining the candidacy of Lidia Staroń for Commissioner for Human Rights. The independent senator's bid was put forward by the ruling Law and Justice party. She was approved by majority of votes in the lower house, the Sejm.

After a series of questions to the candidate, a break until 13:35 was announced. After the break, the senators proceeded to voting.

In favour of the candidate were 45 senators, while 51 were against. Three senators abstained.

The Speaker of the Senate Tomasz Grodzki said the human rights commissioner should serve the people "rather than this or the next government". "That's what this office is responsible for, RPO has to be above everyday politics" - he argued. "Therefore, it's no surprise senator Lidia Staroń, a politician, has not been appointed" - he added.

"I think that the next attempt to appoint a commissioner under current law will end in exactly the same way. It's clear that it's all about making sure the candidate is not appointed, and the Senate is doing all it can to torpedo candidates approved by the Sejm" - said PiS senator Bogdan Pęk.