Poland's parliament is taking an unprecedented recess until after the Oct. 13 general election on a proposal from the ruling party that has raised questions about its intentions.
The last session of the outgoing parliament opened Wednesday and will include a no-confidence vote in Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro.
Parliament will then recess starting Thursday until Oct 15 the first time under democracy that Poland's outgoing lawmakers have convened after an election.
The ruling Law and Justice party argues that the recess aims to give lawmakers more campaign time, but the opposition suspects the ruling party is planning some political moves after the elections, like delaying unpopular legislation that could turn off voters.
Law and Justice, which seems poised for an electoral victory with wide public support, insists that no changes or additions will be made to the parliamentary schedule.
But in the past it has ignored some legislative regulations or customary procedures, drawing protests from the opposition and from European Union leaders.
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The vote on Ziobro's future is being held Wednesday night. Opposition parties want him dismissed due to an online hate campaign that his deputy encouraged against judges who were critical of the government.
The deputy has already been fired.