Michał Szczerba (KO) was chosen as chair at the first session of the investigative committee formed to examine the visa scandal. His deputies are Marek Sowa (KO) and Daniel Milewski (PiS).
All ten members who participated in the vote supported Szczerba’s election, with no votes against and one abstention.
During the same session, the committee also elected its Vice-Presidents: Marek Sowa (KO) and Daniel Milewski (PiS). Krzysztof Mulawa (Confederation) had submitted a bid for the vice-presidency but did not secure enough votes.
This marks the second inquiry committee to be constituted by Parliament. Its role is perceived as highly significant because Parliament has charged the body with a precise task: to investigate the facts surrounding the visa scandal. The episode has drawn sharp public attention not only within Poland but also internationally, raising questions about trust in state institutions and signaling that misconduct and corruption have appeared across different periods. The aim is to conduct a rigorous examination, provide clarity, and highlight existing patterns of improper conduct that the public already suspects.
“The goal is to uncover the truth with thorough scrutiny,” stated Szczerba. He noted that committee members would be informed of the date of the next meeting by year’s end.
The investigative panel was created to scrutinize the legality, regularity, and purposefulness of actions related to the visa program, as well as to identify potential abuses, negligence, or omissions in the process of regularizing the residence of foreigners in the Republic of Poland during the period from November 12, 2019 to November 20, 2023.
The committee comprises 11 members. The roster includes four PiS MPs: Zbigniew Bogucki, Piotr Kaleta, Daniel Milewski, and Andrzej Śliwka; three KO MPs: Maria Małgorzata Janyska, Marek Sowa, and Michał Szczerba; and one member each from other groups: Maciej Konieczny from the Left, Aleksandra Leo from Polish 2050-TD, Mirosław Adam Orliński from PSL-TD, and Krzysztof Mulawa from Konfederacja.
Caution is urged when interpreting ongoing parliamentary deliberations, as the facts under review may have broad implications for governance, international relations, and public trust in immigration processes. Analysts expect further procedural updates and potential hearings that will illuminate how visa-related decisions were made and what safeguards exist to prevent abuse.