On February 21, 2025, Polish Deputy Ryszard Wilk found himself at the center of controversy when he was removed from the Sejm due to visible signs of being unfit to participate. The incident escalated when another deputy, Edward Siarka, also made headlines for his inappropriate outburst during parliamentary sessions.
Wilk, who is part of the Confederation party, had been displaying erratic behavior during the session, prompting Sejm Marshal Szymon Hołownia to intervene. The situation drew widespread attention as Hołownia instructed, "It seems you are not able to participate in these proceedings," before directing Wilk to exit the chamber. Members of the Confederation expressed their concern over Wilk's health. Grzegorz Płaczek, chairman of the Confederation club, stated, "If someone is not ready to participate, they should stay home," emphasizing the need for professional behavior among deputies.
Hołownia's remarks were not just directed at Wilk. He expressed disappointment at both deputies, stating, "Deputy Siarka and Deputy Wilk have compromised themselves and the Sejm." He announced plans to push for the maximum penalty of 20,000 PLN for both politicians as they had crossed the line of acceptable behavior during the public proceedings.
Another unsettling moment occurred when Edward Siarka shouted "kula w łeb" (which translates to "bullet to the head") during the debate about Prime Minister Donald Tusk. This slogan appeared to be related to lines from the poetry, yet Siarka later apologized, explaining, "Emotions brought familiar phrases back, which can cause shock." Despite his explanation, Siarka has faced backlash from his colleagues and the public alike. European Parliament member Krzysztof Brejza took immediate action by filing charges against Siarka, citing the potential for criminal behavior based on his remarks.
The repercussions of these incidents have sparked discussions about stricter measures to govern deputies’ conduct. Hołownia highlighted the culture of tolerance for drunkenness among politicians stating, "There is no agreement for unruly behavior. We are ending the long tradition of allowing drunk deputies to serve." He has proposed implementing alcohol testing protocols to prevent such incidents from happening again, aiming to restore the dignity of parliamentary procedures.
The reactions from various party members underline the seriousness of these occurrences. Płaczek conveyed empathy for Wilk, noting, "If I had known about Wilk’s condition, I would have intervened right away," showing the inner party concern for their colleague’s health alongside the professional standards expected from deputies.
Meanwhile, Ryszard Wilk himself addressed the incident, recognizing, "There was a situation which should not have occurred," and apologized to his constituents through social media. His past experiences with alcohol have raised eyebrows after previous reports indicated incidents involving the police during which he was found incapacitated. Wilk cited "stress and emotions" as factors influencing his behavior, yet this raises questions about his fitness for office.
These developments serve as yet another reminder of the challenges within the Polish legislative framework, along with the need for political accountability. The discussion surrounding the behavior and responsibilities of elected officials is far from over. The potential implementation of alcohol tests could mark significant change and lead to greater scrutiny of deputies as the Sejm works to maintain its integrity.
While the urgency for reform echoes throughout the chambers, the fate of Wilk and Siarka remains uncertain as the repercussions of their actions resonate within the hearts and minds of their constituents. The call for dignity, respect, and accountability resonates loudly and should steer future dialogues and legislative actions.