“As Speaker of the Sejm, the second-highest office in the state, I decided to congratulate the new president, whom I may have to support in carrying out various constitutional and institutional responsibilities. And God forbid – in certain circumstances, even replace,” said Szymon Hołownia during a press conference at the Sejm.
On Tuesday, following the presidential election, the Sejm convened for a session which, from the very beginning, featured a series of notable developments and statements.
Shortly after 11 a.m., during a press conference, Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia announced that the Sejm would consider Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s motion for a vote of confidence in his government — in accordance with the coalition leader’s directive.
“I proposed to the Prime Minister that we consider his motion for a vote of confidence during an additional session of the Sejm, which I will convene for next Tuesday, June 10,” Hołownia said.
Later, during a conversation with the media, Hołownia was asked to comment on the absence of any congratulatory message to Karol Nawrocki from Donald Tusk.
It is worth noting that Hołownia had already published a message that morning congratulating the president-elect. However, in responding to the question, he made a rather unsettling remark.
“I don’t want to be a moralizing figure now, pointing fingers and saying, ‘Oh, that wasn’t a very proper statement, it should have been done differently.’ I wasn’t appointed to teach etiquette — I was elected Speaker of the Sejm. And as such, the second most important official in the country, I decided to congratulate the new president, whom I may need to support in various constitutional and institutional duties. And God forbid — under certain circumstances, even replace him.”
He went on to emphasize the need for cooperation on institutional matters. “This is for the good of the state, and as someone who sees himself as a guardian of constitutional stability and a true public servant at heart, I’m not here to pick and choose. I will work with whichever president the Polish people elect,” he stated.