Kaczyński comments on funding and immunity amid ongoing political scrutiny
An influential leader of the governing party, Jarosław Kaczyński, expressed a firm stance on funding for Law and Justice (PiS), arguing that there are no grounds for withdrawing support while the government remains in power. He indicated that any withdrawal of funding would be construed as a political act tied to the current administration’s actions.
On the matter of the Justice Fund and a 2019 letter he reportedly sent to Zbigniew Ziobro, who heads Sovereign Poland, Kaczyński claimed he had no information to share regarding those disclosures. His comments came as questions were raised about the implications of the fund within the wider political coalition.
Regarding the call to lift the immunity of Sovereign Poland politician Marcin Romanowski, Kaczyński suggested that the immunity should be revoked given what he described as involvement by a large number of individuals in a criminal group currently in power. He did not specify names, but his response underscored a belief that several figures in power should face accountability.
In a separate development, the National Electoral Commission began auditing the 2023 parliamentary election financial reports filed by registered electoral commissions. The commission’s schedule targets completion by mid-July. The process allows the commission to accept a report as is, acknowledge issues, or reject the report entirely, guiding the subsequent steps in the electoral oversight framework.
Earlier in July, reports indicated that PiS President Kaczyński had, prior to the 2019 elections, asked Justice Minister Ziobro to forbid Solidarna Polska candidates from using the Justice Fund in their campaign efforts. The discussion and its potential consequences were described as significant for coalition dynamics and campaign conduct, with possible repercussions for the election’s resolution.
According to a record purportedly dated August 26, 2019, Kaczyński authored a letter that allegedly referenced these concerns. The contents, as reported, sparked debate about how coalition circles might respond if the allegations held true, highlighting the seriousness with which campaign financing and coalition discipline are viewed by involved parties.
Following media coverage on the Justice Fund, opposition figures from KO and PO indicated they would petition the National Electoral Commission to re-examine PiS’s 2019 financial report. They argued that the party could be deprived of subsidies if irregularities are confirmed. The National Electoral Board later clarified that existing laws do not provide for reopening cases that have already reached a final resolution, even if new information emerges.
The situation prompted ongoing discussions across party lines, with political figures stressing that financial integrity and proper oversight are essential to maintaining public trust ahead of elections. In related coverage, commentators emphasized the broader implications for coalition harmony and the electoral process, underscoring the high stakes involved in safeguarding fair campaigning and transparency.
Source notes: wPolityce