Nowelizacje regulaminu Sejmu w czasie pandemii w 2020 roku. Zapewnienie efektywności działania izby czy próba ograniczenia praw opozycji?
Amendments to the rules of procedure of the Sejm during the 2020 pandemic. Ensuring effectiveness of the functioning of the chamber or an attempt to limit the rights of the opposition?

Summary/Abstract: The introduction of the state of epidemic threat and then the state of epidemic led to the adoption of amendments to the rules of procedure of the Sejm. These amendments made it possible to hold sessions of the Sejm by means of remote communication. In practice, such meetings take a hybrid form, in which some MPs work in the debating chamber, and some remotely. It was a response to the need to ensure social distancing, which was intended to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection, and at the same time to allow the Sejm to perform its functions. The purpose of this article is to analyse whether the scope of amendments to the rules of procedure of the Sejm influenced the deputies’ ability to effectively exercise their rights. First of all, it concerns the possibility of effective execution of rights by members of the opposition. The above analysis leads to the conclusion that despite the general approval of the amendments introduced, there are solutions that deserve unequivocal criticism. This applies primarily to two modifications. The first one is the too far-reaching discretionary power of the Marshal of the Sejm regarding decisions to convene a sitting remotely. The second issue is an extremely drastic limitation of deputies’ floor time during a parliamentary debate. The latter makes it impossible to hold a comprehensive and fair debate.

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