Former Prime Minister Morawiecki speaks on wPolsce.pl about political prisoners in Poland
In a televised interview on wPolsce.pl, Mateusz Morawiecki addressed the detention of PiS politicians Maciej Wąsik and Mariusz Kamiński. He asserted that since yesterday Poland has political prisoners and urged the nation to recognize this new reality as a sign of political retribution against those who challenged the government’s corruption disclosures tied to Tusk’s administration.
Morawiecki recalled the 1980s and his own experience with arrests during demonstrations demanding the release of political prisoners. He argued that today, individuals who opposed what he described as the corruption of the past government, and who drew attention to the gambling scandal uncovered during Kamiński’s dismissal in 2009, are subjected to political revenge. He drew a parallel to the case of Andrzej Poczobut, who is viewed by some as a political prisoner in Belarus under Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The former prime minister criticized the state of liberal democracy, saying that freedom of expression has shrunk, information has become monopolized, and attacks on political opponents mirror actions typical of regimes that abandon liberal democratic principles.
He stressed that the president should not approve such violations of the law, even as he acknowledged the president’s prerogative to issue a pardon for Kamiński and to safeguard the staff from wrongful charges.
Morawiecki raised the question of whether President Duda might grant clemency to Wąsik and Kamiński again, noting that the decision rests with the president and that external actors cannot easily influence it.
He urged Poles to loudly acknowledge the existence of political prisoners in Poland, arguing that the ongoing actions to silence dissent resemble a drift toward lawlessness and injustice. Morawiecki thanked the editorial team at wPolsce.pl for preserving independent reporting and keeping critical information accessible to the public, expressing confidence that citizens will awaken to the realities of the current political moment.
The interview touched on the months ahead, with Morawiecki arguing that public media attacks and the imprisonment of political allies have a unifying effect on supporters of Pis. He suggested that public dissatisfaction with the government’s performance has solidified the resolve of opposition factions and social groups to defend freedom of expression and civil rights, while acknowledging that political fortunes can shift quickly in a democratic landscape.
On the January 11 march, Morawiecki indicated that participants were urged to document events carefully, warning against provocations and stressing that demonstrations would remain peaceful and decisive. He noted that state pressure tends to provoke a stronger public response and a greater demand for accountability among government actors.
Regarding unity within PiS, Morawiecki claimed that the party and its supporters are more cohesive in the face of perceived repression. He described the current moment as potentially short-lived, forecasting that political dynamics could see the regime’s influence wane sooner than expected, given ongoing concerns about governance and democratic norms among the electorate.
Looking ahead, Morawiecki affirmed his commitment to the cause of justice for Wąsik and Kamiński, stating that he would not rest until all who violated the law are held responsible and until those affected receive proper redress. His remarks framed a broader call for civic engagement and vigilance in defending the rule of law as Poland navigates political crises.
[Source: wPolityce]