The 2nd Serbski Sejm has been constituted

The newly elected Sorbian/Wendish members of parliament began their political work in a festive atmosphere, framed by an ecumenical prayer service and a celebratory event. The democratic renewal of the Serbski Sejm was completed with the constituent meeting in the town hall of Łaz/Lohsa on 12 April. The second term of the Sorbian/Wendish parliament, which was elected for the first time in 2018, now begins.

Marlis Pjacec, the deputy electoral officer from Dobrošicy, presented the newly elected deputies with their certificates of appointment. The deputies of the first legislature, who had organised the free elections since May 2024, received their certificates of thanks from the oldest of the new deputies present, Rainer Vogel from Zły Komorow/Senftenberg. In the presence of numerous journalists, representatives of Domowina and other Sorbian associations, political representatives and other guests, the members of the 2nd Serbski Sejm sang the Sorbian/Wendish anthem „Rjana Łužica“ and began the constituent session.

After the opening of the meeting by Rainer Vogel, President of the Serbski Sejm, the rules of procedure and the manifesto of the Serbski Sejm were unanimously adopted under the chairmanship of Dr Tomaš Wornar from Drježdźany/Dresden. The Serbski Sejm thus renews its commitment to human rights, the Basic Law and the national constitutions, to the Sorbian/Wendish languages and to respectful and objective dialogue. As in the first legislature, the rules of procedure continue to provide for consensus-oriented conflict resolution and the constructive veto as the basis for work.
Furthermore, information was provided on the establishment of the Arbitration Commission, which will decide on the contestation of the elections to the 2nd Serbski Sejm.

The election of the Presidium, the formation of committees and the appointment of commissioners will take place at the next meeting on 14 June 2025. All minutes and resolutions of the Serbski Sejm can be viewed at https://dokumenty.serbskisejm.de; all meetings are open to the public.

Łaz/Lohsa is of particular importance for the Sorbian/Wendish national movement. Handrij Zejler, Jurij Malink and Jan Pawoł Nagel, among others, worked here. Before the constituent meeting, the delegates and guests met in the Lohsa church, where Günter Wjeńk, parish councillor from Drěwcy/Driewitz, gave a talk in Sorbian on the history of the church. Pastors Gabriš Nawka from Kulow/Wittichenau and Christian Huth from Łaz/Lohsa led a bilingual ecumenical service with organ accompaniment by Alex Pólk from Worklecy/Räckelwitz.

After a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to Handrij Zejler, the festive event began in the town hall. In her speech, Dr Christiana Piniekowa from Chóśebuz/Cottbus emphasised the connections between the previous political marginalisation of the Sorbian/Wendish people and the losses due to linguistic assimilation and devastation caused by lignite mining in Lusatia. She referred to the legal opinions on improving political participation, which led to the formation of the Serbski Sejm in 2010.

After the reading of greetings and congratulations, the Serbski Sejm's honour award named after Jan Skala was presented for the first time to Edith Pjeńkowa from Rowne/Rohne, Johannes Heimrath from Klein Jasedow and Dr Měrćin Wałda from Njeswačidło/Neschwitz. The musical accompaniment was provided by Dieter Gebauer from Chóśebuz/Cottbus.

The speeches, laudations, interventions and greetings were interpreted from Sorbian into German during the ceremony and the constituent meeting. In this way, the Serbski Sejm makes the coexistence of all languages tangible and natural.