Komorowski about “ministers”: Let them say what they want. I will speak in accordance with the constitution
– Where there are formal situations, I would expect constitutional provisions. We cannot say that we support the constitution and refer to it in all other issues, but not when it comes to names, said President Bronisław Komorowski when asked about the use of feminatives in politics.
At the beginning of the conversation on Radio ZET, Bronisław Komorowski was asked about the issue of religion at school. The former president said he was against removing religion from schools.
Komorowski: Religion should remain in primary schools. It’s different in high schools
– Religious lessons also result from a social need, a desire to make life easier for parents, especially when it comes to children preparing for their First Communion. The problem of high school is another thing, he said, adding that religion no longer has to be included in high school.
– (Religion in primary schools) is a good solution that makes parents’ lives easier. If there are any doubts, I would go towards some local or municipal referenda, for example. As for primary schools, it should be looked at as an action aimed at making life easier for citizens, Komorowski said.
The former president was also asked about reducing the number of religion classes to one hour a week. – I don’t want to judge it. I perceive Minister Nowacka’s statement as a statement that proves that a compromise on these matters has been accepted somewhere. And good. Because the idea of completely abolishing religion classes in schools and reducing the number of these hours is no longer possible. Additionally, I heard the minister say that if local governments or parents pay for this second hour, it’s OK. So I understand that there is room for some negotiation. And that’s how it should be, because these are very delicate issues regarding worldview, he added.
Komorowski on “ministers”: The Constitution does not use such a term. They take a bit of a risk
Then President Komorowski was also asked whether for him Mrs. Nowacka was a minister or a minister.
– I listen to these discussions, whether the minister is a guest or a guest. Hard to say. Let them say what they want, I will speak in my own way, that is, as I am accustomed, but also in accordance with the constitution, said the former president. – The Constitution does not use the terms “minister” or “minister”, it only says that this is the function of the “minister”, the “minister”. I remember Mrs. Dulkiewicz’s statement when she became the mayor of Gdańsk. She said she asked to be called Mrs. President, because that is in the constitution. Not “president” or “president” – he added.
He was also asked whether the current ministries who want to be addressed using the feminative are violating the constitution.
– If they want, they have the right to expect it. But if they say in formal situations “I am a minister”, for example when taking the oath, they run a bit of a risk that someone will say that she took the oath as a minister, and the constitution mentions a minister, then maybe this oath is invalid – the former president explained his point of view . – What can be shaped in everyday language based on custom, including people’s expectations, is one thing. I fully respect it, I understand it, although I don’t use it because I have a different approach. But where there are formal situations, I would expect constitutional provisions. We cannot say that we support the constitution and refer to it in all other matters, but not when it comes to names, he added.