Parliament of Poland

The parliament of Poland is the bicameral legislature of Poland. It has two parts: an upper house called the Senate and a lower house called the Sejm. Both houses meet in the Sejm and Senate Complex in Warsaw.

Members of both houses are chosen by the people in elections, which usually happen every four years. The Sejm has 460 members, and the Senate has 100 senators. For a bill to become a law, it needs approval from both houses, though the Sejm can decide to pass a bill even if the Senate does not agree.

Sometimes, the Marshal of the Sejm calls together the National Assembly, which includes everyone from both houses. This meeting is mostly for special events, like when the new President begins their job. In very rare and important situations, the National Assembly can have big powers, such as deciding if the President should face the State Tribunal. The biggest group in the Sejm is Law and Justice, and the Civic Coalition has the most seats in the Senate. Each house has special seats for its members and leaders, and they use devices to vote.

Parliamentary groups and affiliations

After an election, members of Parliament can stay together in their groups, split into smaller teams, or choose to work alone as "independents". Both the upper and lower houses have two types of groups: Clubs and circles.

In the Sejm, a Club needs at least 15 members, while a smaller group needs at least 3 members. In the Senate, a Club needs at least 7 members, and a group needs at least 3 members. These groups help decide how work is organized in Parliament.

National Assembly

See also: National Assembly

The National Assembly is the name for when both parts of Poland’s parliament, the Sejm and the Senate, meet together. It is led by the Marshal of the Sejm or, if they are not there, the Marshal of the Senate.

According to Poland’s rules, the National Assembly can do a few special things. It can say that the President can no longer do their job because of health reasons, and it can also decide to bring charges against the President. The National Assembly also makes its own rules for how it works.

The National Assembly also meets for important moments, like when the President makes a promise to follow the rules before starting their job, or when the President gives a speech to Poland’s parliament.

In the past, between 1922 and 1935 and again from 1989 to 1990, the National Assembly chose the President of Poland. But since 1990, the President is chosen by all the people of Poland. Even now, the President still promises to follow the rules in front of the National Assembly, and it is the only group that can say the President can no longer do their job or bring charges against them.

From 1992 to 1997, the National Assembly helped create a new set of rules for Poland, which people voted for in a big vote across the country on May 25, 1997.

Current standings