"I believe in a Poland where there are no better and worse people. I believe in a Poland where an open hand can win against a clenched fist. I believe in a Poland that looks to the future. I believe in a Poland where the stronger will always help the weaker," says Rafał Trzaskowski in a new campaign spot.

The upcoming week marks the true commencement of a new political season after a two-week recess. The Sejm and Senat will convene for the first time this year, and Marshal Hołownia will officially announce the presidential election date. The Council of Ministers will also hold its first session of the year, while the Pegasus investigative committee will continue its hearings.

*****

Investigative Committee Hearings. On Tuesday, the Pegasus investigative committee will hear testimony from Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA) officers, partially in closed sessions.

Presidential Election Date. On Wednesday, January 8th, the Marshal of the Sejm is expected to announce the date for the first round of the presidential elections. The elections will be formally called a week later, on January 15th.

Government. The government will hold its first New Year's session on Tuesday. The agenda includes a draft amendment to the Act on Bio-components and Biofuels, a draft amendment to the Act on the Preparation and Implementation of Investments in Nuclear Energy Facilities and Associated Investments, and a draft resolution on adopting the "Directions for the Development of Foreign Expansion".

Bodnar's Report. On Wednesday, Adam Bodnar is scheduled to present a report analyzing cases from 2016-2023, which are suspected of having experienced political influence on their course and decisions. "This type of suspicion concerns over 600 proceedings conducted throughout Poland. The first report describes 200 of them. The prosecutor's team continues to analyze and investigate the remaining 400," Bodnar wrote on the X platform.

Sejm in the New Year. On Wednesday, a three-day Sejm session, the first of the year, will commence. The agenda includes, among other items, a draft amendment to certain acts in connection with the Republic of Poland's accession to enhanced cooperation within the European Public Prosecutor's Office. A vote on the Senate's amendments to the budget act is also possible. The Sejm will also address the program for Poland's presidency of the Council of the EU.

Two-Day Senat Session. The upper house will also convene on Wednesday and Thursday. Senators will conduct the second reading of a draft resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Upper Silesian Tragedy. The chamber will also consider the act on entities servicing and acquiring credit.

Photo: Anna Strzyżak/Chancellery of the Sejm