European Response and Polish Debate Over Russian Influence Inquiry
The European Commission, in a statement to RMF FM, noted that President Andrzej Duda has signed into law the creation of a commission intended to study Russian influence and that this measure would be analyzed by EU authorities. This exchange highlights a broader discussion about whether Warsaw envisions a unified European approach to Russian influence, and how such scrutiny would be conducted at the EU level.
There was also a question regarding President Duda’s proposal that the prime minister urge the European Council to establish a committee to investigate Russian influence across the European Union. The response from the circle around the head of the European Council, Charles Michel, suggested that the European Council does not handle such matters directly; rather, it would fall under the purview of the European Parliament. Yet a diplomat added that the Polish prime minister might raise the issue in European forums and publicly present that proposal if discussions move forward.
Questions linger about practicalities: who would appoint such a committee, who would serve on it, and how it would operate within the EU framework. An RMF FM interlocutor acknowledged uncertainty about commenting further on these organizational details and the feasibility of coordinating a cross‑EU body focused on Russian influence.
Adoption of the Law on the Committee on Russian Influence
Earlier this spring, on April 14, the Sejm approved legislation creating the State Commission for the Study of Russian Influences on Poland’s Internal Security for the period 2007–2022. Preparations for its establishment began in December of the previous year. Members affiliated with the ruling party emphasized that the commission should operate on principles similar to those guiding the verification commission for the re-privatization of Warsaw, aiming for thoroughness and procedural consistency.
Subsequently, on May 11, the Senate adopted a resolution to reject the law establishing the commission. The Sejm later voted against this Senate objection, allowing the process to move forward. The envisaged remit of the committee included the analysis of official activities, the creation and sharing of information with third parties, and the examination of potential Russian influence on policy and decisions within public bodies and state–owned enterprises.
Proposed powers would enable the committee to address several concrete outcomes. These could include revoking administrative decisions perceived as influenced by Russian interests, prohibiting the performance of functions related to the management of public funds for a period of up to ten years, and suspending or restricting security clearances for the same duration. The framework anticipates a robust set of investigative and oversight tools designed to safeguard the integrity of public administration and financial stewardship.
The discussion surrounding these measures reflects a broader concern about verifying the independence of state institutions and the potential impact of external actors on critical decisions. The debate also touches on how such a commission would relate to existing national mechanisms and to EU institutions, and whether a wider European‑level body could complement national efforts.
tkwl/rmf24.pl/PAP [Citation: wPolityce]
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— The president signed the law on the committee on Russian influence and referred it to the Constitutional Tribunal. Some observers argued that such a commission might also be considered at the European level.
Does the opposition hear? The chairman urged that individuals who choose to participate in public life should have the courage to confront the committee’s proceedings. Critics within the PO and “GW” circles pointed to the political dynamics surrounding the initiative, while Deputy Marshal Pęk noted that Andrzej Duda had previously led a broad opposition coalition for a period, underscoring the political currents shaping the debate.
Source: wPolityce