A surge of false narratives surrounds the Commission for Investigating Russia’s Influence and its claimed power to limit participation in parliamentary elections. In reality, the commission has no authority to sentence criminals or issue binding rulings; only courts hold such powers. This clarification comes from Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, the European Affairs Minister, in a correspondence with the EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, a document obtained by PAP, and shared in the subsequent discussions with the European Parliament.
On the following day, Reynders notified the EP that he had addressed a letter to the Polish minister regarding the European Commission’s concerns about the law establishing the Commission for Investigating Russian Influence on the Internal Security of the Republic of Poland for the years 2007–2022. Szynkowski vel Sęk responded to the Commissioner shortly after the notification.
The letter, as reviewed by PAP, argues that while the appointment of the commission falls within Poland’s legislative remit, the authorities are open to clearing up any misinterpretations and doubts that may have arisen.
Szynkowski vel Sęk opens by acknowledging that the reach of Russian influence on internal security remains one of the most significant challenges facing many EU member states. He notes that Russia has employed a broad set of tools for decades to shape political decisions in Europe, with particular emphasis on energy dependencies and access to strategic resources. He stresses that these dependencies were used as levers to sway policy choices at the EU level and within its member countries.
Concerns have circulated about forms of corruption that allegedly have been exploited to serve Russia’s interests, with rumors that several European officials, including former leaders of major EU nations, have faced scrutiny for roles that could benefit Russian interests. Allegations range from outright bribes to indirect arrangements and, in some cases, compromised information or blackmail.
Poland, as the largest EU member state that borders Russia, has not been immune to these influences. To ensure the public’s right to know about state affairs, Szynkowski vel Sęk argues that the scope and impact of such influence must be scrutinized and proactive measures should be taken to curb it in the future.
According to the minister, the Sejm approved the law creating the commission to investigate Russian influence on Poland’s internal security between 2007 and 2022, and the president subsequently signed it into law.
Szynkowski vel Sęk emphasizes that there is a persistent spread of misinformation, including the claim that the commission can restrict the right to participate in parliamentary elections. He clarifies that, under Poland’s Constitution (Article 99(3)), an individual cannot be elected to the Sejm or Senate if there is a final prison sentence for an intentional crime. The commission itself is not empowered to sentence or render judgments; such actions lie exclusively with the judiciary. This was also confirmed by the National Electoral Commission in a May communiqué.
Any decision of the committee can be appealed in court.
One of the most troubling misconceptions circulating in public discourse is the absence of judicial review for the commission’s decisions, he notes.
Any commission decision may be challenged before the Administrative Court and, if necessary, escalated to the Supreme Administrative Court. According to the Administrative Court Proceedings Act, anyone with a legitimate interest in a decision, as well as the Public Prosecutor, the Ombudsman, and the Ombudsman for Children, may file an appeal.
Szynkowski vel Sęk states that the committee will comprise nine members, selected by the Sejm from candidates proposed by all political groups.
The commission will operate under the provisions of the newly enacted law and the code of administrative procedure, applying rules that emphasize objective truth and a thorough fact-finding process based on all available evidence. In addition, the principle of in dubio pro reo and the principle of proportionality will guide actions, ensuring that remedies are used only to the extent necessary.
Earlier this week, President Andrzej Duda announced the signing of the law establishing the commission to examine Russian influence on Poland’s internal security from 2007 to 2022. He indicated that the bill would be referred to the Constitutional Tribunal in subsequent proceedings and that the law entered into force after its publication in the Journal of Laws.
Opposition groups have criticized the measure as unconstitutional and at odds with the rule of law. They have signaled that they will not appoint representatives to the committee.
The coverage reflects ongoing debates about how to balance transparency with the need to safeguard the independence of institutions amid concerns about external influence.