“The Civic Platform visa fraud inquiry is now underway,” stated Dr. Daniel Milewski, a Member of Parliament, during a Sejm session. Members of the ruling party emphasized that the so-called visa scandal is being used in the opposition’s election campaign and has little basis in verified facts. “The creation of this committee was driven by political interests within the government bloc,” asserted Zbigniew Bogucki, noting that the committee was established because those involved felt they could speak with a clear conscience and nothing in the findings would undermine their position.
At a press event held prior to the investigative committee’s first gathering, PiS MPs pointed out that the chair had not moved quickly to convene the proceedings.
“We regret that a full month has passed since the Sejm approved the committee,” said Daniel Milewski.
He added that the goal of the early days was to address formal and organizational issues and to compile a list of potential witnesses. Until today, members had only received the work plan.
PiS stressed a commitment to conducting the inquiry in an open and transparent manner. The aim, they argued, is to confront facts directly, with the conviction that evidence supports the truth.
– Milewski also noted that discussions surrounding the visa issue are often labeled as political theater, but insisted that the focus remains on factual examination rather than rhetoric.
A separate matter is the public discussion, which, in Milewski’s view, had already been explored by relevant government agencies for months. Throughout its course, the state has addressed issues at various stages. The committee’s task includes preventing improper practices, though it should not misrepresent the broader situation.
– Daniel Milewski.
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Just not at the Ionian level
Meanwhile, MP Andrzej Śliwka, a former deputy minister of assets, expressed hope that the committee would operate at a higher standard than some previous bodies.
“We expect the standards lowered by Joński and his colleagues not to appear in the committee. The goal is to present the facts clearly and distinctly, and to address the visa issue as part of the election context rather than as a broader scandal,” Śliwka said.
He asked why the misinformation occurred, suggesting it was aimed at election gains. He noted that state bodies, including the Public Prosecution Service, are actively involved, and that the establishment of a formal investigative committee should occur if authorities do not act. The political impetus behind creating the committee, he argued, is clear: the ruling party sought to project accountability through a public forum. “We voted to set up this committee because we believe in transparent action and a clean record,” he stated.
– Bogucki Zbigniew, adding that the committee’s mission is to reveal factual information and counter misleading narratives about visa sales.
There is a growing impression that delaying the committee’s convening may have been a strategy to sustain a media narrative, ensuring ongoing visibility for the inquiry. The PiS position, supporters contend, is that there is nothing to hide and no need to sweep issues under the rug, especially regarding state security.
– Piotr Kaleta noted that the work plan was only shared with parliamentarians on the day of the meeting, leaving little time for preparation.
READ ALSO: Our coverage highlights tensions around the inquiry and related legal proceedings, including ongoing cases and judiciary developments.
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Source: wPolityce