Left wing MPs want to introduce a British-style prime minister’s question time to Poland’s lower house, the Sejm.

The Democratic Left Alliance are to table a motion to change the Rules of Procedure of the Sejm, arguing that in this way could ask the Prime Minister about the most important affairs of the country and make him more accountable to the voters.

Deputy Speaker Jerzy Szmajdzinski noted during Thursday’s press conference that discussions on important issues are presently taking place in the corridors of the Sejm and television studios, not in the parliamentary chamber. In his opinion, it would be good if Prime Minister Tusk or his deputy, had to answer questions from MPs on any topic they desired.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters that he had nothing against the idea.

Such a change in the rules would strengthen the control function of parliament over the government, added MP Tadeusz Iwiński.

As proposed by the Left, once a month, parties would be entitled to ask questions to the prime minister of "an essential character and relating to the problems of state policy." Questions could not exceed three minutes.

Question to the Prime Minister would be known in advance - as is the custom in the British Parliament. Each of the clubs could ask one basic question and one supplementary as is also the custom at Westminster. (pg)

source: TVP Info