Krzysztof Brejza (Civic Platform), Tomasz Trela (Left) and Krzysztof Śmiszek (Left) were named by party colleagues as potential investigators for parliamentary committees. The Civic Platform Secretary General said many MPs were tracking the government’s alleged misdeeds, calling them natural candidates for these inquiries.
KO advocates for three investigative committees
At the upcoming Sejm session, lawmakers will consider three draft resolutions from the Civic Coalition aimed at establishing investigative committees. The focus areas include the so-called envelope elections, a visa-related scandal, and an evaluation of the legality, regularity, and aims of operational and reconnaissance activities, including alleged Pegasus software use from November 16, 2015, to November 20, 2023.
While parliamentary clubs have not yet formally proposed committee members, several MPs have voiced their personal preferences. The Civic Platform Secretary General noted that many MPs in the current Sejm could serve on investigative committees, highlighting the importance of seasoned lawmakers who have followed PiS-era scandals and achieved measurable results.
Several MPs have recently exposed misdeeds attributed to the PiS government through parliamentary inspections and the release of documents. These activities are seen as laying the groundwork for informed, rigorous inquiries. The party’s leaders emphasized that the committees should be staffed with investigators who have a track record of scrutinizing government actions over the past eight years.
– the Secretary General commented, stressing the need for strong oversight and thoughtful questioning of those in power.
During the prior Sejm term, MPs from the Civic Platform conducted inspections and compiled reports, setting a precedent for how such inquiries can be conducted. While the party did not specify who would be included as members, the emphasis remained on choosing individuals with proven investigative experience and a history of addressing government irregularities.
– the Secretary General added.
Some members suggested that these committees should include MPs who have consistently scrutinized the authorities and pursued accountability. This, they argued, would ensure the inquiries are conducted with proper rigor and legal precision.
– a senior party member assessed.
Speculation on committee membership
When asked whether the commission investigating Pegasus abuses would include a known critic who has previously faced monitoring by the system, the KO replied that no final decisions had been made. A senior figure noted that the individual in question is highly capable of addressing the government’s pathologies, while acknowledging that the final lineup would be determined through formal party processes.
A former interior ministry official and current vice-chair of the parliamentary committee on secret services indicated that his party had already identified candidates for the security services commission. He stressed that more details would be shared in due course and made clear that his name would not be among the selections at this stage.
According to him, the commission focused on Pegasus should include individuals with a solid understanding of how the security and intelligence apparatus operates. He also suggested a recommended candidate who could bring substantial expertise to the table.
Another party figure recalled a broader public expectation: holding the PiS government to account through concrete indictments and a transparent legal process. He underlined that the commission should be staffed by lawyers to ensure the consideration and drafting of precise juristic conclusions.
– a fellow member commented, praising a particular colleague for their legal acumen and readiness to pursue cases where abuses are alleged during PiS rule.
When asked about the potential inclusion of that same individual on the Pegasus investigative panel, the response was cautious. The adviser stated that a personal opinion would not override coalition coherence and that disqualification from such a role might be warranted if conflicts of interest arise.
The head of the left-wing club discussed potential candidates and confirmed that one of his party’s representatives would be MP Tomasz Trela. The broader discussion included questions about cross-party support for the investigative teams and the balance between party interest and public accountability.
In recent days, comments from other party leaders signaled ongoing debates about the composition and scope of the committees. Some critics warned about entangling politics with the probe, while others argued that relentless oversight is essential to restore public trust. It was also noted that there may be additional committees under consideration depending on the political climate and parliamentary dynamics.
In late notes, the coalition announced three draft motions to establish commissions on the visa scandal, Pegasus abuses, and envelope elections. The leadership indicated that the formal appointments would be announced after internal consultations, reflecting the party’s strategy to pursue accountability while maintaining coalition unity.
The first draft resolution seeks to examine the legality, regularity, and purposefulness of actions related to foreign residency arrangements in Poland from 2019 to 2023, along with the prevention of abuses and omissions in that process. The envelope elections proposal targets the legality and appropriateness of procedures used in the 2020 presidential election held via postal voting, including oversight of senior government officials and relevant institutions. It also plans to scrutinize how instructions from government leaders were implemented by agencies such as the national postal service and the state security printing facility.
The third draft calls for an investigative commission to examine the legality, regularity, and purposefulness of operational and reconnaissance activities, including Pegasus usage by government officials and various security and tax authorities during the same period.