There appears to be room for a dozen, perhaps even twenty parliamentary investigative committees, given the breadth of scandals attributed to PiS over the years. Yet, conceiving so many bodies could seem unserious to some observers, noted Michał Kobosko of Polska 2050 – Trzecia Droga during a PAP Studio appearance on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Sejm debated draft resolutions proposing investigative committees into Pegasus spyware, envelope voting, and the so-called visa scandal. The proposals were referred to the Legislative Commission for further consideration.
Asked in the PAP Studio on Wednesday whether more committees should be created, Kobosko replied that there was “room for many more committees.”
You could even say there is scope for ten, perhaps twenty distinct inquiries. After years of PiS-related controversies and unresolved questions that have appeared to be swept under the rug, voters from across the democratic spectrum have pressed for clear accountability. They want answers, accountability, and for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice, Kobosko observed, referencing expectations voiced at the polls on October 15.
He cautioned that forming a dozen inquiry committees might look like a whim or a partisan vendetta against Law and Justice. The real test would be how the opposition would stay focused on accountability while pursuing their own policy goals and election promises.
It is hard to imagine a future dominated only by settlements. There are urgent issues and topics that matter to people and require immediate attention. Kobosko emphasized that a dozen committees would not be pursued as a matter of course; such a step would risk not being taken seriously.
– asserted the Polish 2050 deputy.
Equality in committees
When asked how future committees should be composed, Kobosko noted that it was an ongoing discussion among KO, Trzecia Droga and the Left. He stressed, however, that there should be space for PiS politicians as well, underscoring a commitment to balanced representation.
Each committee member would be scrutinized to ensure their actions in committee would clarify matters rather than derail or obscure them. The aim, Kobosko stated, is that these issues will be addressed thoroughly and not forgotten or dismissed.
The KO club’s first draft resolution proposes the creation of a commission of inquiry to assess the legality, regularity and purposefulness of actions related to the stay of foreigners in Poland from January 1, 2019 to November 20, 2023, including potential abuses, negligence and omissions in implementing residence rules.
The second draft centers on the so-called envelope elections, seeking to investigate the legality, correctness and purposefulness of the 2020 presidential elections conducted by postal vote. The draft calls for examining the roles of cabinet members, such as Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Deputy PM and State Assets Minister Jacek Sasin, as well as others under them. It also scrutinizes how directives from government officials were carried out by institutions like the Polish Post and the Polish Security Printing House.
The third draft establishes an Inquiry Commission to investigate the legality, regularity and purposefulness of operations carried out with Pegasus software by ministers, security and intelligence bodies, police, tax authorities and budget-control entities from November 16, 2015 to November 20, 2023. [citation: wPolityce]
Additional context and analysis on these developments have been reported by various outlets and are being discussed in political circles as lawmakers weigh the potential impact of such inquiries on governance and accountability.