Sejm

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Sejm (pronounced [sɛjm]) is the lower house of the Parliament of Poland. It is one of the two chambers of the National Assembly of Poland, the other being the Senate of Poland. The Sejm is composed of 460 deputies (posłowie), who are elected by universal suffrage and serve four-year terms.

History

The Sejm has a long history dating back to the 15th century. The first Sejm was convened in 1493 in Piotrków Trybunalski. It played a crucial role in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, where it was a central legislative body. The Sejm was known for its unique liberum veto system, which allowed any deputy to nullify all the legislation that had been passed by shouting "I do not allow!" (Nie pozwalam!).

Structure and Function

The Sejm operates under a unicameral system and is responsible for enacting laws, approving the budget, and overseeing the activities of the Council of Ministers. The Sejm also has the power to initiate a vote of no confidence against the government.

Leadership

The Sejm is headed by the Marshal of the Sejm, who is elected by the deputies. The Marshal is responsible for presiding over the sessions and ensuring the orderly conduct of business.

Committees

The Sejm has several standing committees that focus on various areas such as foreign affairs, defense, health, and education. These committees play a vital role in the legislative process by reviewing bills and making recommendations.

Elections

Deputies to the Sejm are elected through a proportional representation system. Poland is divided into multiple electoral districts, and each district elects a certain number of deputies based on its population. Political parties must receive at least 5% of the national vote to enter the Sejm, while coalitions must receive at least 8%.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in the Sejm involves several stages. A bill can be proposed by the President of Poland, the Council of Ministers, a group of deputies, or by citizens through a citizens' initiative. The bill is then reviewed by the relevant committee before being debated and voted on by the full Sejm. If approved, the bill is sent to the Senate of Poland for further consideration.

Related Pages

• Senate of Poland
• National Assembly of Poland
• Marshal of the Sejm
• Council of Ministers
• President of Poland
• Liberum veto
• Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth