“The Speaker of the Sejm does not have a choice in this matter. He is constitutionally obliged to receive the oath of office from the president-elect. The Constitution does not allow for any alternative. Debating this issue is pointless. The entire procedure is clearly outlined and must be followed,” said Julia Przyłębska, former President of the Constitutional Tribunal, during the Congress of Gazeta Polska Clubs in Sulejów.
Speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, stated:
“Unless the Supreme Court invalidates the presidential election or other unexpected circumstances arise, I will consider the electoral process concluded and will convene the National Assembly on August 6.”
Despite this, public discourse continues to be filled with alternative scenarios aimed at preventing the swearing-in of the president-elect. Julia Przyłębska responded to these efforts—including verbal attempts to obstruct Karol Nawrocki’s assumption of office—during the 20th Congress of Gazeta Polska Clubs in Sulejów.
“We all remember the tragedy of Smolensk—when the president was unable to perform his duties. But that is not the case today. The incumbent president remains in office until the new president has been sworn in,”
she said, addressing concerns about potential obstacles to Nawrocki’s inauguration.
“I believe that Speaker Hołownia now understands this, as his recent statements reflect a different tone,”
she observed.
However, she also emphasized that “a great number of embarrassing statements” continue to be made.
“We are hearing many interpretations of the Constitution that serve only the narrow interests of political parties, particularly regarding the issue of receiving the oath of office and the inauguration of the president. Again: it is not a matter of discretion. The Speaker of the Sejm is obliged to act. The Constitution provides no alternative. Discussing this is pointless. The procedure is clear and must be adhered to,”
Przyłębska reiterated.
She urged the attendees:
“I strongly encourage you to closely follow everything that is happening around this issue. If we want to live in a free, democratic Poland, we must not allow the foundations of the constitutional order to be violated.”
“There is a clear constitutional provision stating that the incumbent president remains in office until the new president is sworn in. We must interpret all of this based on the entirety of the constitutional framework,”
she added.
Regarding the possibility of the Speaker of the Sejm assuming presidential duties, she concluded:
“This is explicitly enumerated in the Constitution. It means one cannot go beyond what is stated. These are specific constitutional provisions, and nothing more.”