Members of parliament of the IX term on Thursday received their election certificates. The chairman of the National Electoral Commission (PKW), Wiesław Kozielewicz, underscored that due to the record-high turnout, the MPs have the strongest mandate in the history of the III Republic of Poland. He also wished them to carry out their duties with dignity and dilligence.
At a ceremony in the Column Hall, Kozielewicz stressed that the last parliamnetary elections had historic significance as they were held 100 years after the first Sejm elections in the II Republic of Poland of 26 January, 1919.
Furthermore, the PKW chairman said, this year's elections made history due to record-high turnout. He explained that the voter turnout was the highest in 30 years, and that more than 18 million Poles took part in the vote, which was 61.74 of those eligible.
"This high voter turnout bestows on you an extraordinarily strong representative mandate, we may even say, the strongest in the whole duration of the III Republic of Poland. A mandate received in such manner carries along great hopes, expressed by millions of voters, for fair and capable governning," Kozielewicz told the new MPs.
He reminded the words Pope John Paul II had spoken when addressing MPs and senators in the Sejm on the 11th of June, 1999. "I'd like wish Polish politicians and all people involved in the public sphere, not to spare efforts in building a state that especially cares for families, human life and bringing up young generations, that respects the right to work, sees the crucial issues for the whole nation, and is sensitive to human needs, especially those poor and weak," Kozielewicz quoted the words by Pope John Paul II.
He added that despite the passing time, these papal wishes are still up-to-date.
In the elections to the Sejm, Law and Justice received 43.59 percent of votes and won 235 seats in the Sejm, Civic Coalition (Civic Platform, Modern Party, Polish Initiative, The Greeens) - 27.40 percent and 134 seats, the Left (Democratic Left Alliance, Left Together and Wiosna (Spring) party) - 12.56 percent and 49 seats, Polish People's Party (together with candidates from Kukiz'15 movement) - 8.55 percent and 30 seats, Confederation - 6.81 percent and 11 seats. One seat was taken by the German Minority.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP