Hołownia, leader of the centrist Poland 2050 party, stepped down last week as part of a power-sharing arrangement within the governing coalition.
He is pursuing the role of UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Czarzasty’s candidacy was presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski, who described him as someone capable of "uniting people around common goals" and praised his ability to defuse tensions during parliamentary sessions in his previous role as a deputy Speaker.
Most MPs from the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party walked out of the chamber during Gawkowski’s speech, chanting "down with communism" in reference to Czarzasty’s membership of the Polish United Workers’ Party (PZPR), which ruled Poland from 1948 to 1989.
PiS and the far-right Confederation group both said they would oppose Czarzasty’s appointment on these grounds.
The left-wing Razem (Together) party also declined to back the change in Speaker, though the governing coalition ultimately provided enough votes to secure Czarzasty’s election.
Gawkowski defended Czarzasty’s record, arguing that he had "taken ownership of his past," and highlighted his long career in public life, including roles at public broadcaster Polish Radio and the National Broadcasting Council.
Describing him as a politician marked by "respect for procedure, iron consistency and a sense of humour," Gawkowski said Czarzasty was someone who could "rise above political divisions."
Czarzasty will now preside over the house for the remainder of the parliamentary term.
(ał/gs)
Source: PAP, IAR