A letter from the representatives of Włodzimierz Karpiński, dated November 3, was delivered to the Secretariat of the Speaker of the Sejm on November 8, together with Karpiński’s own letter dated October 20. In that correspondence, he affirmed his agreement to take up the mandate of a Member of the European Parliament. The Sejm Information Center confirmed to PAP that these documents were received as part of the ongoing procedures for filling the vacant seat in the European Parliament. [Citation: Sejm Information Center via PAP]
According to RMF FM, Karpiński, who is currently in custody, has signaled his intent to assume the MEP mandate by sending a formal letter to the President of the Sejm. The broadcaster noted that he would accept the mandate and thereby enter the European Parliament, subject to the established legal process. [Citation: RMF FM]
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The Sejm Information Center answered PAP’s questions about receipt of the letter and whether the Sejm President will inform the European Parliament about the effective election of the deputy. It stated that the documents from Karpiński’s representatives, dated November 3, 2023, were sent to the Speaker of the Sejm’s Secretariat on November 8 of the same year. [Citation: CIS via PAP]
Karpiński’s Statement
The center noted that the attached document includes a letter signed by Karpiński on October 20 that confirms his consent to accept the European Parliament mandate. [Citation: CIS]
In its response, the CIS explained that the process for accepting an MEP mandate is defined by Article 364 and following provisions of the Electoral Act. [Citation: CIS]
Officials emphasized that the authorities responsible for this matter must take appropriate steps to fulfill the mandate in accordance with the priority order of those entitled to assume it. After compiling all relevant documents, it will be possible to determine who will take over the MEP seat vacated by Krzysztof Hetman, the MP-elect initially associated with the 10th term of the Sejm. [Citation: CIS]
– CIS reported. [Citation: CIS]
Karpiński ran as a candidate with the European Coalition in the 2019 European Parliament elections but did not obtain a seat at that time. The MEP from this list was Krzysztof Hetman, who had just secured a Sejm seat and planned to transition accordingly. Joanna Mucha would have joined the European Parliament under Hetman, but she was also elected to the Polish parliament. The next eligible individual to become an MEP would have been Riad Haidar, who passed away in May of that year. Ultimately, the European Parliament mandate could pass to Karpiński, should the sequence of eligibility reach him. [Citation: general election history]
In this case, Karpiński’s sons Michał, Andrzej, Jan, Franciszek and Wojciech Karpiński sent an open letter. The message stated that their father is being supported and that he intends to take up the European Parliament mandate. They claimed that the handwritten declaration had been submitted to the President of the Sejm, who oversees the appointment procedure for the European Parliament presidency. They called the detention a political instrument and argued that it should end. The letter also asserted that the father would speak in the European Parliament about the application and enforcement of Polish legal provisions. [Citation: family statement]
What About the Procedure?
The Karpiński family also stressed that accepting the mandate would not interrupt the ongoing prosecution. This was presented as a determination not to evade responsibility. They urged patience for the court’s ruling, expressing a belief that honest public service should not be punished by imprisonment simply for belonging to the wrong party. [Citation: family letter]
In September this year, the Court of Appeal in Katowice decided that Karpiński would remain in custody at least until November 24. The ruling is final, meaning release would occur only after that date. By Wednesday, investigators had not filed a new request to extend the arrest, but such a request was expected before the following Friday. The Public Prosecution Service reminded that previous court decisions did not grant the defense’s requests to release him, citing high risk of continued misconduct, potential penalties, and concerns about fraud. [Citation: PAP]
Karpiński faces a possible prison sentence of up to twelve years. He remains one of several suspects in the Silesian PK unit investigation, and at present he is the only one still detained. [Citation: PAP]
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Source: wPolityce