SejmEdit

The Sejm, formally the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, is the lower house of the Polish parliament and one of the principal organs through which the people exercise representative government. Comprising 460 deputies elected for four-year terms, it stands at the forefront of lawmaking, budgetary oversight, and the formation of the executive. Its work is complemented and checked by the upper house, the Senate, and by the constitutional framework laid down in the Constitution of Poland.

In practice, the Sejm is the arena where political programs are translated into statute and policy. It drafts, debates, modifies, and adopts legislation, approves the state budget, and exercises substantial oversight over the government through inquiries, questions to ministers, and confidence votes. Because the government is formed from a majority in the Sejm, the chamber acts as the principal driver of national policy, with a strong say over the direction of public finances, regulatory reform, and major reforms touching education, welfare, and security. The Sejm works in close alliance with the executive branch, while remaining the primary site where competing political visions are tested and thrashed out in public.

History

The term sejm has medieval roots in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, where it referred to a gathering of nobles and representatives to deliberate on law and governance. Its modern form, however, emerged with the establishment of national constitutions and representative assemblies in the wake of Poland’s modern state-building in the 20th century. The contemporary Sejm took shape after Poland regained independence in 1918, endured interruptions during periods of occupation and authoritarian rule, and was reconstituted under the current constitutional order established in 1997.

During the post-communist transition, the Sejm gained new authority over the budget, the appointment of the government, and the oversight of a rapidly liberalizing economy. The balance of power between the Sejm, the Senate, and the presidency has been a central feature of Polish politics, producing cycles of reform and recalibration as political forces contest the best means to sustain growth, law and order, and national sovereignty within the framework of membership in international institutions such as the European Union.

Structure and powers

Composition and leadership: The Sejm is made up of 460 deputies elected from multi-member districts. A presiding officer, known as the Marshal of the Sejm, and a set of Deputy Marshals organize and run plenary sessions and committee work. See Marshal of the Sejm for details on this office.
Legislative authority: The Sejm initiates and passes laws, including the state budget and tax measures. It can amend or reject bills, and its approval is required for most pieces of legislation to become law. After a bill clears the Sejm, the Senate may review and propose amendments; if the two houses disagree, procedures exist to resolve differences and advance or reject proposed acts. The Constitution of Poland defines the constitutional framework within which these processes operate.
Executive oversight: The Sejm scrutinizes the work of the government through committee hearings, interpellations, and confidence votes. A government usually requires the Sejm’s approval or continuous confidence to govern, and the chamber can initiate motions of no confidence or support, depending on the political arithmetic of the moment.
Budgetary authority: The Sejm holds the purse strings, approving the annual budget and monitoring public spending. This makes it a central instrument for fiscal discipline and public priority setting.
Committees and specialization: Much of the practical work happens in standing and specialized committees, which study proposals in depth before they reach the plenary floor. The committee system allows detailed examination of policy areas, from economics to national security.
Electoral mechanics: Deputies are elected by proportional representation using the D'Hondt method, with thresholds designed to reflect the breadth of political opinion while maintaining governability. See Elections in Poland and D'Hondt method for more on these rules.

Electoral system and composition

Polish parliamentary elections use party-list proportional representation, with a threshold that shapes the entry of parties into the Sejm. This system tends to produce multiple political forces capable of influencing legislation, while the threshold helps prevent the chamber from becoming unwieldy. The distribution of seats follows the D'Hondt method, a standard in many European legislatures, which emphasizes larger parties and coalitions while still allowing smaller groups to gain representation. For context on how these dynamics interact with national policy, see Elections in Poland and Polish political parties.

Lawmaking process

Introduction and first readings: Legislation can originate in the Sejm or be proposed by committees. Bills are debated, amended, and prepared for a plenary vote.
Plenary consideration: The Sejm debates the bill in sessions open to the public, where deputies may offer amendments and voice policy priorities.
Passage and Senate review: If approved by the Sejm, the bill moves to the Senate for consideration. The Senate may propose amendments or advice, which then returns to the Sejm for final decision.
Presidential assent and possible override: After the Sejm passes a bill, the President may sign it into law or veto it. A veto can be overridden by a qualified majority in the Sejm (and sometimes requires involvement of the Senate, depending on the act). The constitutional framework governs these steps in detail.

Relationship with the executive and judiciary

The Sejm stands at the core of Poland’s system of checks and balances. It is the primary actor in government formation, since the cabinet must maintain the confidence of the Sejm to govern. The executive, led by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, operates within the framework of laws passed by the Sejm and approved budgets.

Polish judicial reforms and actions affecting the judiciary have been a major source of domestic and international debate. Proponents argue that reforms restore accountability, curb excessive activism, and align institutions with democratic norms that emphasize stability and risk management. Critics, including some in the European Union and domestic opposition, contend that rapid changes could undermine judicial independence and the impartiality expected in the rule of law. In this sense, the Sejm has played a central role in shaping how Poland balances sovereignty, EU commitments, and the integrity of public institutions.

Controversies and debates

Judicial reform and rule of law: Debates about reforming the judiciary have been persistent. Supporters contend that reforms are necessary to reclaim accountability and ensure that courts reflect legitimate political and constitutional oversight. Critics worry that rapid changes could threaten judicial independence. The discussion often centers on the proper balance between accountability and the independence of the judiciary, as well as how such reforms interact with EU rule-of-law standards. See Judicial reforms in Poland for the broader policy context.
Public media and information policy: The Sejm has been a forum for policy questions about media governance, public broadcasting, and information dissemination. Advocates emphasize ensuring that public media serve the national interest and provide accurate information, while critics warn against politicization of media institutions. These debates reflect broader concerns about media plurality, public trust, and the competition between private and public discourse.
Economic policy and welfare state: The Sejm has overseen transformative policies designed to bolster families, work, and growth. Proponents argue that targeted welfare measures and growth-oriented reforms promote social mobility and long-run prosperity. Critics may warn about fiscal sustainability or distortions to private investment. In every case, the Sejm reflects a spectrum of policy priorities shaped by party platforms and coalition dynamics.
Sovereignty and EU alignment: Poland’s ongoing relationship with the EU involves balancing national sovereignty with commitments to the union’s legal framework and budgetary rules. Proponents emphasize safeguarding Poland’s autonomy over national priorities, while opponents stress the importance of EU alignment to secure markets, funds, and security guarantees. The Sejm remains a pivotal venue where these tensions are negotiated and translated into policy.