MPs backed the changes proposed by President Andrzej Duda in a vote on Friday night, with 235 in favour, five against, and nine abstentions, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The new law, which entered into force on May 31, establishes a state commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland from 2007 to 2022.
It was enacted as an initiative by Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.
On June 2, the president proposed amendments to the law, saying that the new commission of inquiry should not include lawmakers or have power to ban anyone from holding public office.
Instead, the panel should be empowered “to state that a person who has been found to be acting under Russian influence does not guarantee the proper performance of public duties," the president said.
Duda said he was sending amendments to parliament because he was aware of domestic and international criticism surrounding the law.
On June 8, the European Union’s executive Commission decided to open an infringement procedure against Poland, after concluding that “the new law violates the principle of democracy as well as the principle of legality and non-retroactivity of sanctions,” according to officials.
Polish MPs on Friday approved the president's amendments and removed a provision whereby the commission would be obliged to publish its first report on September 17, the PAP news agency reported.
The amendments now go to the Senate, the upper house, for consideration, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Friday is day 478 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, tvpparlament.pl
