In fresh days, in the Polish public space, the alleged Lex Romanowski, the amendment of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which has a direct impact on the ability of parliamentarians active in criminal proceedings to exercise their mandates. This project, named after Marek Romanowski, is controversial among both politicians and a number of lawyers.
What is Lex Romanowski about?
Lex Romanowski introduces amendments to Article 116 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which are intended to prevent persons active in criminal proceedings from holding public office, including parliamentary or senatorial seats. Under the fresh rules, the pursued parliamentarians would be automatically suspended in the performance of their duties pending the completion of the proceedings.
The draft assumes that if criminal proceedings are initiated against a parliamentarian, the court will be required to notify the Marshal of the Sejm or the Senate. As a result, specified a individual would lose his right to vote, participate in the work of the committee or represent his constituency.
Project controversy
Lex Romanowski met with fierce criticism from any political and legal circles. The opponents of the task indicate that it can be utilized as a tool for political combat to destruct uncomfortable MPs or senators. According to critics, the amendment violates the rule of presumption of innocence, which is the foundation of criminal law.
– It's a dangerous precedent that could lead to abuse. It is adequate that a procedure will be initiated against the parliamentarian to deprive him of his ability to execute the mandate," comments Prof. Anna Rakowska-Trela, expert of constitutional law.
In turn, supporters of Lex Romanowski argue that the task aims to guarantee transparency and fairness in public life. “We must not let people suspected of serious crimes to proceed to represent citizens,” says Marek Romanowski, the initiator of change.
Recent reports
According to the latest news, Lex Romanowski may be put to the vote in the Sejm in the coming weeks. However, his destiny is uncertain due to the deficiency of consensus between parliamentary clubs. any opposition groups announce the application to the Constitutional Court should the amendment be adopted.
There is besides speculation in the media that the task may be a consequence to circumstantial cases of politicians active in criminal proceedings. In fresh months Poland has increased the number of investigations into corruption, fraud and economical crimes involving parliamentarians.
Summary
Lex Romanowski is another example of a heated debate on the boundary between legal and political responsibility. Although the task aims to increase assurance in public institutions, its possible consequences are raised by concerns about the anticipation of abuse. In the coming weeks, it is worth following the further improvement of the situation, which may importantly influence the form of the Polish political scene.
There is no uncertainty that this task is controversial. However, on the basis of the case of Romanowski, who, due to the criminal liability threatening him, fled to Hungary and inactive collects a wage from the Sejm, the case should be resolved in order to exclude specified possibilities.
Read more:
Lex Romanowski: Pursued parliamentarians cannot fulfil their duties. The Sejm has made a decision
