Marszałek sejmu

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Marszałek sejmu (English: "Marshal of the Sejm," "Sejm Marshal," or "Speaker of the Sejm") is the title of the speaker (chair) of the Sejm (since the 15th century, the lower house of the Polish parliament).

In Galicia, from 1861, the chairman of the "National Sejm of Galicia," with its seat at Lwów, bore the title, "Marszałek krajowy" (National Marshal). In the Kingdom of Poland, from 1916 to 1918, the title was "Chairman of the Council of State."

In the Second Polish Republic, the "Chairman of the Sejm" was elected from among the deputies for the duration of the Sejm's term. Until 1935, the Marshal or Chairman of the Sejm substituted for the President of Poland in the latter's absence or disability.

Today the Marshal of the Sejm is the chairman of the Presidium of the Sejm (Prezydium Sejmu) and the Convention of Seniors (Konwent Seniorów). The Marshal oversees the work of the Sejm, supervises procedural sessions of the Sejm, and convenes and chairs the proceedings of the Convention of Seniors and the Presidium of the Sejm. He (or she) appoints the Chief of the Chambers (of the Sejm, and of the Senat), and since 1989 substitutes for the President of Poland in the event of that office's vacancy.