“My constitutional responsibility was to ensure Poland’s continuity of command over the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, as well as the continuity of state authority. We were at risk — had I listened to various Twitter voices and commentators telling me what I should or shouldn’t do — that we would have no president in Poland. (…) It was a matter of state security, of my responsibility as Speaker of the Sejm, to make sure that the swearing-in took place. I’m glad that it did,” said Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia on TV Republika.
In July 2025, following the second round of the presidential election, Hołownia revealed in the media that he had been pressured to take part in a coup d’état. “On numerous occasions, people proposed or suggested to me whether I would be willing to carry out a coup,” he said. He added that such suggestions involved blocking or delaying the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected president. The Speaker emphasized that he firmly rejected those proposals. “But a coup d’état won’t happen with me. As Speaker of the Sejm, I am obliged to respect the will of the majority of voters,” Hołownia declared.
Groups affiliated with the ruling coalition — in particular, the Civic Coalition — questioned the results of the presidential election, alleging electoral fraud. Some, including Professor Andrzej Zoll, even suggested that Karol Nawrocki should not be allowed to be sworn in as President of Poland.
On August 6, 2025, the presidential inauguration took place without incident.
Asked about the matter on TV Republika, Hołownia said that everything proceeded according to the law.
“The president was sworn in properly, he took the presidential oath, and therefore assumed office. That was my responsibility too — even as Karol Nawrocki’s rival in the election. I lost that election; he won it. And my constitutional duty was to ensure Poland’s continuity of command over the Armed Forces and of state authority. We were at risk — had I listened to various Twitter voices and commentators telling me what I should or shouldn’t do — that we would have no president in Poland,” Hołownia said.
“Unfortunately, the legal provisions written below the Constitution are such that they don’t account for a situation in which, for example, the Speaker of the Sejm refuses to swear in the president. That would have created a constitutional void, because neither could I assume the duties of the president, nor would there be a president, nor do I even know if I’d have a legal basis to call new presidential elections. And how would we make laws, how would we govern, who would command the armed forces — knowing the situation we are in? It was a matter of national security and my responsibility as Speaker of the Sejm to ensure that the swearing-in took place. I’m glad it did. I am convinced it was the right step, and the only possible one in that situation. If someone disagrees, I’m used to that — but the president in Poland was legally sworn in, has taken office, and is the President of the Republic of Poland,” he added.