ISSN: 2560-1601 Vol. 33, No. 3 (PL) October 2020 Poland social briefing: Election of a new ombudsman Joanna Ciesielska-Klikowska 1052 Budapest Petőfi Sándor utca 11. +36 1 5858 690 Kiadó: Kína-KKE Intézet Nonprofit Kft.
[email protected] Szerkesztésért felelős személy: CHen Xin Kiadásért felelős személy: Huang Ping china-cee.eu 2017/01 Election of a new ombudsman On September 9, 2020, the term of office of Polish Ombudsman, Professor Adam Bodnar, has ended. Yet, his service to citizens, which lasted for 5 years, did not end with that day - Bodnar continues his function until the election of his successor. Discussions on who could become the new Commissioner for Human Rights have been going on since August and have so far been unsuccessful. What are the tasks of Ombudsman in Polish social and political system? And who can become the new person in office? Role of Ombudsman in Polish system The Ombudsman is a body established pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and the Act of July 15, 1987, on the Commissioner for Human Rights. According to the letter of the law, a person to be appointed as the Ombudsman should be a Polish citizen, distinguished by legal knowledge and professional experience, as well as high authority due to his/her oral qualities and social sensitivity. The person cannot belong to any political party, trade union or perform public activity incompatible with the dignity of the office. The Ombudsman is appointed by the Sejm with the consent of the Senate at the request of either the Marshal of the Sejm or a group of 35 deputies.