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11/17/2019

16:09

Political Week Ahead: PM's Address, Sejm on 30-Fold Cap and Excise Hike, ECJ Ruling on SC Disciplinary Chamber and KRS, EPP Summit, Constitutional Tribunal Judge Election, President Duda in Lithuania

The coming week in politics will primarily be marked by the continuation of Sejm proceedings, the Prime Minister's policy address followed by a vote of confidence, and likely expedited work on PiS-submitted draft laws concerning the abolition of the 30-fold ZUS contribution cap and an increase in excise duty, as well as the Solidarity Fund. The Sejm will also elect new judges to the Constitutional Tribunal.

Donald Tusk is set to be elected as the EPP leader at the Zagreb summit, and the Court of Justice of the European Union will issue a ruling on Poland's National Council of the Judiciary and the Supreme Court's Disciplinary Chamber. Furthermore, the deadline for submitting candidates for the so-called presidential primaries within the Civic Platform falls in the upcoming week. Meanwhile, President Andrzej Duda will visit Lithuania.

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PM's Policy Address. On Tuesday, after 10:00 AM, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will deliver a policy address in the Sejm, outlining the government's program and seeking a vote of confidence. The speech is scheduled to last until 12:00 PM, followed by an hour-long break and then a general debate. The vote of confidence is planned for 8:00 PM. As we reported on 300POLITYKA, all former Prime Ministers who served after 1989 have been invited to the policy address.

Sejm on 30-Fold Cap and Excise Hike. On Tuesday, after the policy address, starting from 8:15 PM as planned, the Sejm will consider first readings of PiS-submitted draft laws concerning the abolition of the 30-fold cap on ZUS contributions, an increase in excise duty, and the Solidarity Support Fund for Disabled Persons (which includes financing the 13th pension). Any motions to reject the drafts will be voted on overnight. Wednesday will likely see committee meetings, with second readings scheduled for Thursday after 3:00 PM. Consequently, the drafts are expected to be adopted the same day in the evening voting block between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM.

ECJ Ruling. On Tuesday, the Court of Justice of the European Union will issue a ruling that, in short, will assess the status of the new National Council of the Judiciary and the Supreme Court's Disciplinary Chamber in terms of their compliance with EU law. In June, the ECJ's Advocate General issued an opinion stating that the newly established Disciplinary Chamber of the Polish Supreme Court does not meet the requirements for judicial independence established by European Union law.

EPP Summit. On Wednesday, the European People's Party summit will take place in Zagreb, where over 700 delegates from approximately 50 national parties will elect a new leader. According to unofficial information, Donald Tusk, nominated by Civic Platform, will be the sole candidate for this position. The term of the former Polish Prime Minister, currently serving as President of the European Council, ends on November 30th.

Deadline for Submitting Candidates in Civic Platform. "The national board has passed a resolution determining the procedure for nominating a candidate for President of the Civic Platform. This nomination is to be made by the national convention, which will be held on December 14th, and the candidate will be selected through the election of national convention members. This involves approximately 1000 delegates representing all Civic Platform members. Regarding the deadline for candidate nominations, candidates can be submitted until November 19th," stated Jan Grabiec in a conversation with journalists. November 19th falls on the upcoming Tuesday.

Election of Constitutional Tribunal Judges. On Thursday evening, in the aforementioned voting block, the Sejm will elect judges to the Constitutional Tribunal. The only candidates nominated by the PiS parliamentary group are Stanisław Piotrowicz, Krystyna Pawłowicz, and Robert Jastrzębski. Additionally, MPs will also elect members to the State Tribunal and parliamentary members of the National Council of the Judiciary.

President Duda in Lithuania. On Wednesday, President Andrzej Duda will visit Brojce in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, where he will meet with residents of Gryfice district at 5:30 PM. On Thursday and Friday, the Presidential Couple will pay a working visit to Lithuania and participate in the burial ceremony for the leaders and participants of the January Uprising of 1863-1864.

Photo: Adam Guz/KPRM