The legislature did not agree to the appointment of Matthew Szpytma as president of the Institute of National Memory. 50 senators voted against. The decision means to return the procedure to its starting point and prolongs uncertainty around the management of 1 of the most crucial institutions of Polish memory.
Parliament backed, legislature stopped
Matthew Szpytma was selected by the IPN College and then obtained the support of the Sejm. 226 Members voted in favour of his appointment, 194 voted against and 4 abstained. The candidates were supported by PiS, Confederacy, PSL and part of Poland 2050. However, the bill besides requires the approval of the Senate.
The advanced chamber did not give consent. 50 senators voted against the candidate. This means that Szpytma will not take office and the College of the Institute will gotta launch another procedure. Until the president is elected, the current management of the IPN will stay in the hands of the deputy.
A historian associated with Markowa
Szpytma is simply a historian and has served as deputy president of the IPN since 2016. He previously directed the Museum of Poles Saving Jews during planet War II of the Ulmów household in Markowa. His achievements are powerfully connected with the survey and commemoration of Poles helping Jews under German occupation.
The opponents of the candidacy accused him of having besides strong a relation with the erstwhile management of the Institute. Supporters pointed to experience and cognition of the institution. This difference can be settled by arguments. It is unacceptable to treat IPN as a prey to be taken over after a change in the majority.
Price of a protracted vacancy
The Institute conducts archives, investigations, investigation and education. liable for the memory of victims of German and russian totalitarianism, communist repression and crimes against the Polish Nation. The deficiency of unchangeable management weakens planning and exposes the institution to another organization fair.
The legislature has exercised its statutory competence. Now, the majority who rejected Szpytma has a political work to identify a standard and a candidate able to gain wider support. The blockade itself is not a program for Polish memory policy.
![Poles have revealed who they criticize most frequently in conversations with their loved ones. The consequence may come as a surprise [POLL]](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAIAAAACCAYAAABytg0kAAAAFElEQVQYV2N8+vTpfwYGBgZGGAMAUNMHXwvOkQUAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)
