Announcement

The PiS parliamentary club head Mariusz Błaszczak informed Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty on 27 July 2026 that the party would submit Marcin Ociepa as its candidate for Deputy Marshal of the Sejm. Błaszczak stressed urgency, noting the slot has remained empty since the start of the current term in November 2023. Czarzasty accepted the notification, and the timing of a vote now rests with him.

“We want this motion to be put to a vote in the Sejm as soon as possible. I remind you that the vacancy in the Presidium is for Law and Justice.”

Why Ociepa

Ociepa served as a deputy minister under Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in the ministries of enterprise and technology, development, and national defence. He leads the OdNowa association, formed by former members of Jarosław Gowin's Porozumienie. Though a member of the PiS club, he does not belong to the PiS party itself. Błaszczak cited their long collaboration in the defence ministry and called Ociepa competent and well-prepared.

“I worked with Minister Ociepa for many years in the Ministry of National Defense. I believe he is a competent, well-prepared politician for the role of Deputy Marshal of the Sejm.”

Ending a 32-month standoff

PiS has been without a Deputy Marshal since 13 November 2023, when Elżbieta Witek failed to secure the required votes on the first sitting of the tenth-term Sejm. Then-Marshal candidate Szymon Hołownia said PiS deserved a deputy but must choose someone other than Witek, whom the new ruling majority would not accept. Party leader Jarosław Kaczyński responded that PiS would not propose any alternative. The vacancy remained until today's nomination.

Witek's health forces a change

Błaszczak confirmed that Witek's candidacy is no longer active. He said she has certain health problems and is likely to be inactive for several months. No further medical details were disclosed. The withdrawal clears the way for Ociepa, whom the ruling coalition may accept.

“Mrs. Elżbieta Witek has certain health problems. Forgive me for not going into details, but it is very likely that she will be inactive for several months.”

Morawiecki and Rozwój Plus

The nomination comes as Mateusz Morawiecki's Rozwój Plus association is reportedly preparing to form a separate club in the Sejm. Asked if the move was preemptive, Błaszczak denied it, saying that even if another club emerges, Prawo i Sprawiedliwość will remain the largest opposition club. Ociepa's affiliation with OdNowa, a centre-right group once within the United Right alliance, may signal the party's effort to hold together its broader coalition.

Next steps in the Sejm

Marshal Czarzasty has accepted the notification. Błaszczak said the timing of the vote rests with the Marshal. If Ociepa is confirmed, PiS reclaims a seat it has held in principle since the 2023 election but could not occupy.