Polish rule of law bill stalls again due to lack of MPs

Parliamentary efforts to advance a significant rule of law bill in Poland have once again been halted, this time due to a lack of quorum during a crucial committee session. The proposed legislation, aimed at restoring judicial independence, has faced persistent delays since its introduction in January.

Despite an initial reading in the Sejm (parliament) in January, where the bill was not rejected outright and was sent to committee for further review, progress has been minimal. A lengthy and contentious public hearing took place in February, but subsequent committee work has been virtually nonexistent for months. The session on Wednesday was intended to break this stalemate, with the parliamentary committee on justice and human rights scheduling a review of the bill.

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This is not to say that the MPs have downplayed or disregarded the importance of this bill. I had to announce a break due to a lack of quorum, which I consider a minor accident at work. However, this does not mean we are abandoning work on these regulations. This is a very important bill, and we do not want to wait any longer. We will return to the detailed consideration of these provisions tomorrow.

However, the committee's proceedings were abruptly suspended shortly after beginning. While the first item on the agenda, a bill concerning political advertising, was addressed, the debate on the rule of law legislation was postponed due to insufficient attendance. Committee members present cited a variety of conflicting obligations, including simultaneous sittings in other committees, appearances at the State Tribunal, and participation in plenary sessions of the Sejm, as reasons for the absence of key members.

One committee member, Patryk Jaskulski of Civic Coalition (KO), expressed frustration over the lack of quorum, calling it a "minor accident at work." He assured that the delay does not signify an abandonment of the bill, emphasizing its importance and the intention to resume deliberations promptly. Jaskulski also pointedly criticized the "practically complete absence" of members from the Law and Justice (PiS) party, suggesting their focus was on internal party divisions rather than parliamentary duties. Even if deliberations resume, the bill's extensive nature, spanning over 40 pages of provisions alone, makes it unlikely to be concluded in a single session.

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It is also worth noting the practically complete absence of PiS MPs, who today clearly focused on themselves and their split, completely ignoring their parliamentary duties.