Polish MPs could soon face breathalyzer tests at work following a series of alcohol-related incidents involving lawmakers.
The Speaker of the Polish Senate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, put forward the idea during a radio interview on Tuesday after a video showing an apparently intoxicated senator emerged online, fueling concerns about alcohol-related abuse in Poland’s political circles.
Pointing out that the issue was becoming a “significant” problem, she said: “If we see in the plenary hall or at a workplace that someone may be under the influence of alcohol, then in such a situation, tests are necessary. Not on the basis that everyone who enters work is tested.”
In the video that has since gone viral, MP Maciej Kopiec from the Left (Lewica) political party is seen smoking a cigarette and hurling insults allegedly aimed at members of the far-right Confederation (Konfederacja) party.
Kidawa-Błońska confirmed that the Marshal’s Guard intervened during the altercation six months ago at a Warsaw government hotel.
“There was a heated exchange of opinions between senators and MPs from different factions. The situation was de-escalated,” she said, adding that no formal complaint had been filed against Kopiec.
The MP later issued an apology, saying: “I was recorded in the bar at night during a discussion that was conducted at a very low level.”
He added: “I do not want to whitewash myself. These things should not have been said; this is not parliamentary language.”
Pointing out that the issue was becoming a “significant” problem, she said: “If we see in the plenary hall or at a workplace that someone may be under the influence of alcohol, then in such a situation, tests are necessary. Not on the basis that everyone who enters work is tested.”
In the video that has since gone viral, MP Maciej Kopiec from the Left (Lewica) political party is seen smoking a cigarette and hurling insults allegedly aimed at members of the far-right Confederation (Konfederacja) party.
Kidawa-Błońska confirmed that the Marshal’s Guard intervened during the altercation six months ago at a Warsaw government hotel.
“There was a heated exchange of opinions between senators and MPs from different factions. The situation was de-escalated,” she said, adding that no formal complaint had been filed against Kopiec.
The MP later issued an apology, saying: “I was recorded in the bar at night during a discussion that was conducted at a very low level.”
He added: “I do not want to whitewash myself. These things should not have been said; this is not parliamentary language.”
Drunk MPs stir up debate
The idea to introduce regulation allowing the Speaker’s Guard to subject MPs to breathalyzer tests gained national attention last week after a drunk MP had to be escorted out of the parliamentary chamber.
Ryszard Wilk, a member of the far-right Confederation party, was asked by the Sejm Speaker Szymon Hołownia to leave the plenary hall for “being in a state that prevented logical communication and disturbed the proceedings.”
“I have instructed the Sejm's legal services to prepare solutions that will allow the Marshal’s Guard to test an MP with a breathalyzer in the plenary chamber at the request of the presiding speaker and to take immediate and decisive action,” Hołownia said after the incident involving Wilk.
The Confederation politician issued an apology on X the following day, writing: “I tried to diligently fulfill the duties of an MP, but I am losing my battle with alcoholism. I have made attempts to address it, but as it turned out, those attempts failed.”
He was subsequently indefinitely suspended from his Confederation membership and fined 4,000 złoty for his behavior.
Hołownia said that the MP received minimal punishment because of his “declaration to fight the alcohol disease.”
Ryszard Wilk, a member of the far-right Confederation party, was asked by the Sejm Speaker Szymon Hołownia to leave the plenary hall for “being in a state that prevented logical communication and disturbed the proceedings.”
“I have instructed the Sejm's legal services to prepare solutions that will allow the Marshal’s Guard to test an MP with a breathalyzer in the plenary chamber at the request of the presiding speaker and to take immediate and decisive action,” Hołownia said after the incident involving Wilk.
The Confederation politician issued an apology on X the following day, writing: “I tried to diligently fulfill the duties of an MP, but I am losing my battle with alcoholism. I have made attempts to address it, but as it turned out, those attempts failed.”
He was subsequently indefinitely suspended from his Confederation membership and fined 4,000 złoty for his behavior.
Hołownia said that the MP received minimal punishment because of his “declaration to fight the alcohol disease.”
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