AWPL failed to solve any of the priority issues

In a few weeks there will be local elections, in the following year – parliamentary elections, and it is widely known that election is a time for summary of the achievements of politicians. During the current term AWPL proposed 142 bills, including 23 adopted amendments. However, the politicians of this fraction failed to convince colleagues from the parliamentary benches in any important case.

Unfortunately, within three years of being in the parliament and two years in the ruling coalition, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania failed to solve any of the priority issues, such as the regaining of land, education, minority rights and the protection of unborn life. The new Law on National Minorities was not accepted, although AWPL members and members of other factions signed a number of such project. The last project of AWPL was recorded on September 11, 2014.

The regaining of the land

The case of regaining of looted by the Soviets lands lasts from the beginning of independence. In the current term Sejm has rejected the draft of amendments to the Law on restitution by Rita Tamašunienė and Wanda Krawczonok. AWPL members proposed that undeveloped urban land that is rented to various legal entities was returned to its rightful owners. Later, the lessee would have to come to an agreement with the owner as to whether they would pay the rent, or buy this land. “Companies and individuals currently renting the state ground are in a very unspecified situation, because they are dependent on the officials,” – explained the deputy Tamašunienė. The project was rejected by the Sejm on 14 April 2014, when AWPL was still in ruling coalition.

Prohibition of abortion

From the very beginning philosophical issues were very important for AWPL. During the period when it was a part of the Sejm majority, the party wanted to introduce anti-abortion legislation, like in Poland or Malta. However, the Parliament has not considered registered by all members of AWPL protection Act of a child’s life in the prenatal phase (ie, the life conceived – ed.). Only Irina Rozowa did not signed the project, but it was supported by Algirdas Patackas and Kęstutis Daukšys.

In the parliamentary drawer there still lies a draft of the religion lesson, which according to the project, would become part of school education. The project was submitted by all members of the faction.

AWPL and Ukraine

The chairman of the Polish School Józef Kwiatkowski was one of the authors of the parliamentary resolution on Ukraine, which was adopted by the Parliament on April 1, 2014. The resolution condemned the occupation of the Crimea by Russia. “The conducted referendum on the legal status of Crimea was contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine and its results are unlawful and invalid” –  as it was written in the resolution. The resolution condemned Russia, which has supported the separatists and it recognizes the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Despite this, the AWPL leader has repeatedly emphasized his critical attitude towards changes in Ukraine, noting that “the power has to be chosen at the ballot box, not at rallies”. Tomaszewski actually acknowledged the “referendum” in the Crimea. “I do not like that the referendum was carried out so quickly. During a few months we had to prepare a list of polling stations and voters. It is not known whether the outcome would have been different. However, we must return to Kosovo, because there cannot be double standards “- said the leader of AWPL.

Vice-Chairman of the Sejm Jaroslaw Narkiewicz was the author or co-author of 30 projects, of which the Parliament approved 10. Zbigniew Jedziński reported 21 projects, 4 of which were accepted. Leonard Talmont prepared or participated in the preparation of 29 projects, four of which were adopted. Michał Mackiewicz reported 35 projects (3 adopted), Wanda Krawczonok – 32 projects (3 adopted), Irina Rozowa – 30 projects (5 adopted), Joseph Kwiatkowski – 20 projects (two adopted). Rita Tamašunienė record holder reported 55 projects, but the parliament approved only 3.