The director of the National Freedom Institute, Wojciech Kaczmarczyk, was fired. “I consider Minister Agnieszka Buczyńska’s decision as a wish, which is now becoming reality, to politicize the functioning of the NIW,” Kaczmarczyk said in an interview with the portal wPolityce.pl.
The latest dismissal as part of the purge in institutions that promote patriotism, Polish history, traditional values and freedom is the removal from his position of Wojciech Kaczmarczyk – co-founder and since 2017 director of the National Institute of Freedom – Center for Society Development. It was canceled – as he says – based on the results of the inspection carried out in recent days by the Chairman of the Public Benefit Committee, the Minister of Civil Society, Agnieszka Buczyńska.
Control laced with religious prejudices
The audit was shocking, but not because of the errors and irregularities at the NIW, but because of the level of activity of the inspectors and the minister himself.
– says Kaczmarczyk.
One of the findings from this investigation was that our expert with years of experience in activities for church organizations and Catholic associations did not have sufficient expert qualifications to assess applications.
– explains.
This expert was, among other things, coordinator of Epiphany processions and many papal competitions. It turned out that this activity – based on collaboration with the NIW – for church initiatives was difficult for the ministerial controllers.
– says the former director of the NIW.
Following this inspection and its conclusions, I accused the Minister last week of indirect discrimination on religious grounds, and this was probably the main reason for my immediate resignation as Director of the NIW.
– he adds, without hiding the fact that this has been going on for some time.
Unfounded accusations
The dismissal decision referred – as Kaczmarczyk specifies – to dishonest conduct and violation of the law – in accordance with Art. 6 point 3, section 3 of the law and the National Institute of Freedom, which talks about “actions contrary to the law, the principles of reliability, economy and expediency.”
In my opinion and that of the National Freedom Institute, I find no basis for applying these provisions. We have always acted with the utmost care and in compliance with the law. No one has ever, even now, made such substantiated and proven accusations against us
– he says, announcing that Minister Agnieszka Buczyńska will appeal against the decision which is “adverse and based on false conclusions”.
So I see it as the wish, which is now becoming reality, to politicize the functioning of this institution
– he adds, noting that Michał Braun is the new director of NIW.
Instead of Kaczmarczyk – a politician
This is a Civic Platform politician, PO councilor in Kielce for many years and plenipotentiary for civil society in the PO cabinet. There is no doubt about his political leanings.
– says Kaczmarczyk, recalling that it was Michał Braun who, a day after the last elections, on October 16, 2023, wrote a text demanding that all institute competitions be suspended until a new government was appointed.
That’s what happens. The National Freedom Institute has not received a single zloty from the Prime Minister’s Chancellery for this year’s competitions, and more than 900 organizations are currently waiting for funds. It is difficult not to notice an attempt to politicize NIW’s activities.
– he decides.
There will be money for others “our own”
What will the National Freedom Institute look like under Michał Braun?
Some time ago, former Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński asked Minister Buczyńska about the reasons for withholding funds for the National Freedom Institute. The minister replied that she could not agree that the NIW would continue to provide subsidies to “our own people”. I have never divided non-governmental organizations into ‘my own’ and ‘not mine’. Just look at the more than 6.5 thousand very different non-governmental organizations that we have supported with more than PLN 1.2 billion. Looking at what is happening, we can expect at least some reallocation of resources to organizations that will be more favorable to the new government.
– Wojciech Kaczmarczyk ends the interview with the wPolityce.pl portal.
Radosław Molenda noted
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Source: wPolityce