Anna Grodzka Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

After Palikot’s Movement (RP) withdrew its support for Wanda Nowicka as its Deputy Speaker of the Sejm, the search for her replacement began in earnest. Apparently, Anna Grodzka, who is currently the only transgender MP in the world, is at the top of the list.
“It’s not an official candidacy right now. We don’t have one yet. But from an ideological standpoint, it would be a good choice,” Janusz Palikot, leader of RP told TVN24. He added that the decision on his party’s candidate for deputy speaker will be announced on Thursday.
Ms Grodzka confirmed that her name is in the running, but said she doesn’t know yet if she will accept the offer if it is made.
“I’m involved in many projects and activities that I don’t want to quit,” she said. “Being deputy speaker means accepting lots of new responsibilities, and I have to see if I can manage handling all of them.”
“Everyone knows that Grodzka is not controversial, except that I exist, and I am who I am,” she added. “But these controversies are old. I think the Sejm has gotten used to me and so has society.”
Given the current realities of the Polish parliament, it’s difficult to imagine that Ms Grodzka’s candidacy would be accepted without opposition. The question is whether there will be enough opposition to block her candidacy altogether.
Traditionally, each party in the Sejm is allowed one deputy speaker post. However, all candidates must be voted in by a majority of MPs. If Ms Grodzka’s candidacy were rejected, RP would have to propose another candidate.
Wanda Nowicka lost her party’s support after she accepted a controversial zł.40,000 bonus.

Jacek Ciesnowski