They want to set up three investigative committees
Krzysztof Brejza, Tomasz Trela, and Krzysztof Śmiszek were named by party colleagues as potential members of investigative committees. Yet the party’s secretary general noted that several MPs are already pursuing the PiS government’s alleged misrepresentations. He described them as natural candidates for such roles.
Three investigations on the agenda
At the upcoming session, the Sejm will consider three KO draft resolutions proposing the creation of investigative bodies. One would scrutinize the envelope voting process, another would probe the so-called visa scandal, and the third would examine the legality, regularity, and aims of various operational and reconnaissance actions, including the alleged use of Pegasus software between November 16, 2015 and November 20, 2023.
Joński and Szczerba as KO “researchers”?
While the party clubs have not officially named members, individual MPs have voiced their preferences. The head of the KO Club believes there are many lawmakers in the current term who could sit on these committees.
Several capable MPs have, in recent years, exposed what they view as fraud by the PiS government. They conducted parliamentary inspections and produced documents that highlighted perceived hypocrisy and alleged misappropriation. He commented that these individuals are natural candidates.
During the prior Sejm term, Dariusz Joński and Michał Szczerba spearheaded some of the most prominent parliamentary inspections among KO MPs. Still, Kierwiński did not specify whether they would become KO candidates for committee seats. He emphasized that the panel should include MPs who have tracked PiS scandals for the past eight years and achieved notable results.
“I think they would be excellent researchers and would pose sharp questions to discredited PiS politicians”, he said.
When asked whether the Pegasus probe might include KO MP Krzysztof Brejza, who Citizen Lab has linked to monitoring with the Pegasus system, KO replied that no decisions had been made yet, but Brejza is seen as a strong figure to address the government’s pathologies.
Will Brejza lead the Pegasus inquiry?
Marek Biernacki, a PSL member and former head of the Interior Ministry, stated in an interview that his club had already chosen candidates for the secret-services commission. He added that an announcement would come in due course and that he would not be a candidate himself.
According to him, the Pegasus inquiry should involve individuals familiar with how the services operate. He suggested a preferred candidate for that role and expressed confidence that Brejza would participate due to his strong interest and knowledge on the topic.
“Brejza will probably serve on this committee. He is deeply engaged with this issue and possesses substantial expertise”, he asserted.
The left-wing advocate for Śmiszek
Andrzej Szejna noted that Poles expect a clear commitment from the opposition: to hold PiS accountable with indictments for those responsible. He stressed that the committee’s work should lead to solid prosecutions by prosecutors and courts. He also said lawyers should constitute the core of the panel to avoid missteps during the preparatory phase.
“I believe Krzysztof Śmiszek is a strong lawyer who could join the investigative body. He has the resolve to pursue those who acted unlawfully under PiS rule”, Szejna said.
Asked whether Brejza should sit on the Pegasus investigation, Szejna replied that he would advise against it, personally, to avoid undermining coalition cohesion. He explained that judges tend to recuse themselves when a case concerns themselves.
When PAP inquired about KO candidates, Gawkowski, head of the left-wing club, confirmed that Tomasz Trela would be among those on the committee.
The opposition aims at PiS
On Wednesday evening, KO’s press service announced that the Civic Coalition had submitted three draft resolutions to create investigative committees on the visa scandal, Pegasus, and envelope voting. The appointment of their candidates was announced earlier by Civic Platform leader Donald Tusk.
The first draft resolution seeks the appointment of a commission to investigate the legality, regularity, and purposefulness of actions related to foreigners’ stay in Poland from January 1, 2019 to November 20, 2023, focusing on Preventive measures and possible abuses and omissions in legal processes.
The second resolution intends to appoint an Inquiry Commission to review envelope voting during the 2020 presidential election, examining the actions of government ministers, including Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin, and how directives from ministers were carried out by entities such as the Polish Post and the Polish Security Printing House.
A third draft calls for an Inquiry Commission to scrutinize operational and reconnaissance activities, especially the alleged use of Pegasus by senior officials and security services from 2015 to 2023.
READ ALSO:
-Who will hold PiS responsible? SE lists Avengers candidates. Szczerba, Joński, and Giertych among them. They want accountability for the Games of the Olympics – please!
— The new parliamentary majority is forming investigative committees. Ziobro: They fail to grasp what people deem important and instead stage theater
— Will there be three inquiry commissions? Szczerba wants more. Fogiel: The aim is to organize the Olympic Games in Poland
— Could Prof. Czarnek join an inquiry? Critics debate whether some who appear should be allowed to sit on the committee
– Will PiS nominate their representatives for committees? A spokesperson replied: if motions are received, action will be taken