Investigative committees – what value will these actions actually deliver?
Krzysztof Gawkowski weighed in on a plan to create three investigative committees in the Sejm, a move announced by Civic Coalition leader Donald Tusk. The question he faced was whether these committees would become mere political theater or deliver real, measurable outcomes.
He argued that the committees could form the backbone for answering questions that currently remain unresolved. For example, he highlighted the wiretapping scandal and the many unanswered details: who issued orders, whom the taps targeted, how Pegasus was deployed, and which individuals were monitored over multiple days. He insisted the full picture needed to come to light and suggested that Law and Justice may have used secret services to gain operational insight into political opponents.
Gawkowski stressed the importance of presenting these issues to the public and treating them as a serious malfunction that should trigger accountability.
– a point he underscored.
“To me it would be a morbid, pathological situation.”
When asked which left-leaning MPs might participate in the committees, Gawkowski noted that the concept was taking shape and that Tomasz Trela would likely be involved. He said it would be hard to imagine left-wing politicians backing a PiS candidate who sought a seat on the panel.
If Minister Kamiński, one of the officials who could have ordered the wiretaps, sought a seat on the Pegasus inquiry panel, he viewed that as a troubling development. He stated he would personally oppose it if someone responsible for wiretapping appeared on the committee tasked with investigating the matter.
– a point of emphasis.
Gawkowski was also asked whether Sejm Marshal Szymon Hołownia represents an asset or an obstacle for the united opposition. He observed that Hołownia demonstrates solid chamber management and a tone that suggests the current opposition and the parliamentary majority could align to win votes without attacking anyone, while still following the rules. He praised Hołownia’s leadership.
– a clarification.
“This is what we have been fighting for from the beginning.”
Asked about the possibility of Hołownia becoming a shared opposition candidate in the next presidential elections, the politician indicated he did not expect a single joint candidate. He suggested the left, possibly with other parties, would nominate its own presidential hopeful.
– an explanation.
Asked about the outcome of coalition talks for the left, Gawkowski claimed that three constitutional ministers would be part of the new arrangement, describing that as a clear and decisive development worthy of notice.
“I am glad about this,” he added, noting that securing three constitutional ministers had been a central objective from the start. He pointed out that a spokesperson for the left, including the prime minister, would announce who would hold ministerial roles.
– a final remark.
Regarding his personal details, he asserted that announcements about ministers would come directly from the prime minister himself.
Draft resolutions concerning committees of inquiry
Three draft resolutions have been submitted to the Sejm to establish investigative committees. The first, proposed by the KO club, calls for a commission to examine the legality, regularity, and purpose of actions, and to prevent abuses, negligence, and omissions in approving the stay of foreigners in Poland from January 1, 2019 to November 20, 2023.
A second draft concerns the envelope elections, focusing on the legality and conduct of the 2020 presidential election conducted by postal voting. The resolution would scrutinize the actions of government ministers, including Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Deputy Prime Minister and State Assets Minister Jacek Sasin, as well as those acting under them. It would also examine how directives from ministries were carried out, especially by the Polish Post and the Polish Security Printing House.
The third draft proposes an “Inquiry Commission to assess the legality, regularity, and purposefulness of operational and reconnaissance activities, including the use of Pegasus software by members of the Council of Ministers, secret services, police, tax authorities, and budgetary control bodies from November 16, 2015 to November 20, 2023.”
Has Gawkowski indicated that the new parliamentary majority would approach investigative committees with the same vigor seen during the election of the Sejm presidency, presenting themselves as guardians of democracy?
yes/DAD