Deputowanych

Deputowani, singular deputowany, is a term in Polish politics referring to an elected representative, typically a member of the lower chamber of the Polish parliament, the Sejm. In contemporary usage the more common term for such representatives is posłowie; deputowani is still used in legal, historical, or formal contexts and can also denote deputies in other bodies.

In the Sejm, deputowani are elected for a four-year term by proportional representation in multi-member districts, using the D’Hondt method. The Sejm consists of 460 deputies. Deputowani propose and debate legislation, participate in committees, represent their constituencies, and vote on laws and budgets. They scrutinize the government, ask questions, and may be involved in motions of censure or votes of confidence. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers require parliamentary support to govern; the Sejm can initiate impeachment with the Senate.

Deputowani have parliamentary immunity: they may not be arrested or prosecuted for crimes or statements made in the course of duties without the Sejm’s consent. They enjoy rights to parliamentary sessions, resources, and staff; they may form parliamentary groups or caucuses and elect a Speaker of the Sejm as their head, along with deputies to that office.

Historically, the term deputowani has appeared in Poland’s parliamentary vocabulary since the 19th and early 20th centuries. In modern Poland, the term posłowie is predominant, though deputowani remains common in historical, legal, and some regional usages.