From the cell to Brussels
The story traces the political arc of Włodzimierz Karpiński as he moved from local affairs to the European arena. In an interview with RMF FM, the newly minted Member of the European Parliament explained that he hesitated for a long time before accepting the mandate. He also contended that the public isn’t necessarily after the full truth in his case, and suggested that he feels slandered. The claim left listeners weighing whether the interview portrayed a martyr or a politician navigating a difficult moment.
Why did he take the MEP seat and what are his goals in the European Parliament?
Karpiński, who previously served as a secretary at the Warsaw City Hall and held a ministerial post in the PO-PSL government, entered the European Parliament last week after leaving a nine‑month detention. Prosecutors allege he accepted bribes totaling nearly PLN 5 million in connection with waste management contracts in Warsaw.
The question remains: why did he accept the MEP mandate?
In the interview, Karpiński stated that he could not be certain the issue was merely about uncovering the truth. He said he hesitated for a long time and decided to take on the role because he doubted that the matter was solely about establishing facts.
He added that he spoke with the head of his parliamentary group, Andrzej Halicki, and was told not to view himself as an outcast. He also announced plans to travel to Brussels the following week to focus on economic issues as a member of the European Parliament.
Karpiński says he was bugged and followed
During the RMF FM interview, the MEP was asked whether he had been wiretapped prior to his arrest. He replied that he believed he was under surveillance and that other illegal activities were used to monitor his behavior. He described being actively followed and noted that a formal report was filed about the potential crime, with the expectation of it being investigated further.
When asked why he suspected he was being tracked, Karpiński explained that a device resembling a transmitter was found during a search of his car. He recalled that it looked like a bar wrapped in black tape with two magnets and said a Central Anti‑Corruption Bureau officer who dismantled the device claimed it was his mobile phone.
Karpiński insists he did not take significant money
The politician stressed his innocence and stated that he felt unjustly vilified by people he does not know. He asserted that he has never made a decision under pressure, blackmail, or illegal lobbying, nor with any expectation of financial gain.
The accusation is specific, claiming a PLN 5 million bribe was accepted. The RMF FM host revisited the amount, and Karpiński replied that he did not take PLN 5 million, PLN 10 million, PLN 15 million, PLN 1, or PLN 5—adding that he would never agree to actions aimed at illegal conduct just to win tender work.
He challenged the idea that the lowest bid in a tender should determine a candidate’s intent for illegal activity, urging listeners to consider the broader accountability in public procurements.
I feel slandered
Observers noted that a court decision extending detention suggested the authorities viewed the charges as credible, though the court did not rule on the case’s substantive matters. Karpiński argued that detention was justified only on procedural grounds, pending further investigation. He emphasized that there was no conclusive evidence during the nine months of proceedings, and he reiterated his claim of innocence and defiance against defamation by individuals he has never met. He added that several witnesses who testified against him could themselves face lengthy prison terms, yet the dynamic raised questions about how testimony might influence outcomes.
Karpiński underscored his public service past and his disbelief that any of his actions were driven by pressure or illicit influence. He asserted that the people quoted in testimonies were in positions where they could face serious penalties regardless of the outcome of this case, and he warned against letting testimony alone determine guilt.
From the cell to Brussels
In the 2019 European Parliament elections, Karpiński was a candidate for the European Coalition. He did not receive a seat at that time, as Krzysztof Hetman won a seat in the Polish Sejm and Joanna Mucha moved on to the Polish parliament. The line of succession would have passed to Riad Haidar, who died in May, allowing Karpiński to take the EP mandate. Fellow party members greeted him warmly, and some observers described his portrayal as a “martyr” in the eyes of the party leadership. The broader question remains whether the legal process will reach a resolution that changes his political fate.
The unfolding situation has sparked debate about immunity, accountability, and the path public figures take when facing serious accusations. The interview and subsequent commentary continue to shape public perception of Karpiński and his role in European politics.
[citation RMF FM interview; attribution: RMF FM], [citation for parliament context; attribution: wPolityce collection], [citation for party dynamics; attribution: RMF FM/PAP/X]