President Karol Nawrocki signed 1 bill on 19 August 2026, vetoed one, and sent lex charlatan to the Constitutional Court. The decision blocks the entry into force of the regulations until preventive control and opens the way for its own task punishing fraudsters preying on patients.
Three decisions by the President
The Chancellery of the president of the Republic of Poland informed that Karol Nawrocki had decided on 19 August 2026 on 3 laws. He signed an amendment on kid care under the age of 3, refused to sign the Public Collective Transport Act, and the amendment of the Patient Rights Act and the Patient Rights Ombudsman, known as lex charlatan, addressed the Constitutional Court.
It's not a method decision without meaning. Addressing the Act to the Constitutional Tribunal in the preventive control mode means that the provisions do not enter into force before the constitutional assessment. As explained by the President's Office in the description powers of the head of state in relation to the laws passed, the entry into force of the act then depends on the judgement of the Court.
Lex charlatan under TK's glass
The president did not question the intent itself, which is to defend the sick from con artists. He questioned the way. According to the NRP, the Government Act raised doubts by the broad powers conferred on the Ombudsman of Patient Rights, including the anticipation of excluding websites by administrative decision, without prior judicial review.
That's where the dispute goes. The state has a work to defend the patient, especially the individual who is sick, desperate and prone to fraud. But the regulation of law cannot turn the fight against abuse into an authoritative baton, which without trial besides strikes legitimate entrepreneurs, herbalists, nutritionists or persons participating in technological debate.
In this sense, Nawrocki's decision fits into the broader model of presidency that we wrote about in the text Karol Nawrocki wants to change the model of presidency. The head of state is not a government notary. It is intended to defender the boundaries of lawmaking, especially where there is besides much administrative power to be smuggled under the slogan of a fair fight.
Own plan alternatively of an authoritative shortcut
In parallel, the president announced his own legislative initiative against the charlatans. The President's office stated that presidential project to amend the Criminal Code and the Patient Rights Act. Its centre is to include a fresh prohibited act, referred to as Article 160a of the Criminal Code, directed at real frauds who exploit the illness and harm patients.
President Rafał Leśkiewicz argued that the task should strike precisely: in those who prey on human misery alternatively than in honest entrepreneurs. It's an crucial distinction. Polish legal order must defend people against cynical extortion of money, but must not punish views, opinions or the very fact that they conduct legal activities.
The presidential camp besides emphasizes the function of the court and the prosecution. It's a healthy direction. In matters relating to guilt, penalties and restrictions on civilian liberties, the administrative decision cannot replace the process. specified shortcuts always tempt power due to the fact that they are fast. It's just that a fast country without judicial review can be a dangerous country for a citizen.
Court and rate for citizens
The decision on lex charlatan is taken at a time erstwhile the Constitutional Court itself remains 1 of the main areas of political dispute. late we described how The Constitutional Court was in the heat of the dispute. All the more so, all law directed to the Constitutional Tribunal becomes a test not only of the law, but besides of the state's resilience to the force of the current majority.
For Poles there is simply a circumstantial stake. The patient is to be protected from a fraud who uses fear of illness. An honest citizen is to guarantee that an authoritative does not shut him down or a communication channel without a court. The household is to know that the state is fighting frauds, not creating another instrument of discretion.
Nawrocki made it clear: the nonsubjective may be right, but the way must be in accordance with the regulation of law. It's a lesson that the ruling should take without insulting presidential control. Good law defends the weak and keeps power in check. The incorrect law gives the office besides much and the citizen besides little.
Source: Polish President's Office, Radio Maryja, Rzeczpospolita.
