PO’s Lies And The Visa Scandal Inquiry
The parliamentary committee investigating the visa scandal has opened its deliberations. Today, the first witnesses appeared before the panel. In discussions aired on Telewizja wPoland, Law and Justice MP Paweł Jabłoński urged the committee to reveal the mechanism behind what he called a powerful electoral lie spread by the Civic Platform to misrepresent reality. He insisted that those responsible for these distortions should be summoned to testify before the body.
On the channel, Jabłoński criticized the inquiry for its focus on visa issuance, arguing that the public deserves an explanation of the propaganda that shaped perceptions during the election campaign. He asserted that the campaign used numerous false claims and exaggerated figures, and that media coverage amplified these misrepresentations. He pressed for accountability, stating that those who propagated or contributed to the false narratives should appear before the committee for examination.
The discussion notes that the visa scandal emerged in 2023 and that the opposition allegedly leveraged it during the electoral period. Jabłoński described the allegations as involving hundreds of cases of irregular visa deadlines, which to the public eye grew into allegations of far greater scale through media amplification. He contended that some reporters and commentators assisted in spreading the narrative, sometimes misquoting statements to suit the opposition’s thesis. The former deputy foreign minister underscored the need for those responsible to face the committee.
He also called attention to irregularities dating back to the Sikorski and Tusk administrations. In Jabłoński’s view, the root cause lay in a systemic approach to consular services, including privatization and the involvement of private intermediaries. While he acknowledged that some private arrangements are legitimate, he warned that insufficient oversight created room for dishonest practices. He added that the platform later rejected amendments proposed by his party, which he framed as a political maneuver tied to electoral gains. The PiS member reiterated his demand that journalists and other figures who contributed to what he described as the lie should appear before the committee for questioning.
The conversation also touched on European Union funds linked to Poland under the National Reconstruction Plan. Jabłoński referenced a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, noting that two decisions were expected to unlock up to 137 billion euros from the Cohesion Fund and the Reconstruction Fund. He reminded listeners that laws enacted during the current government were meant to facilitate disbursement of EU funds when conditions were met, pointing to the payment framework put forward by a minister of the funds and regional policy. He linked these provisions to the government’s 2022 and 2023 measures, arguing that they align with the broader national agenda.
In his view, the European Commission’s previous approach amounted to political pressure, and he welcomed the shift toward acting in accordance with the law. However, he stressed that the Commission’s earlier stance appeared to conflict with the legal framework and that the money should have flowed to Poland under the treaties regardless of political changes. He concluded that the legal basis remained sound and that partisan politics should not override legal obligations. The discussion emphasized that the National Recovery Plan for Poland includes a substantial package of investments and reforms aimed at strengthening the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan envisions a substantial allocation across climate objectives, digital transformation, and social reforms, within the broader cohesion framework for 2021 to 2027.
Additional items flagged for consideration include past visa-related revelations and the broader diplomatic implications of these events. The discourse highlighted the importance of scrutiny into the mechanisms behind official actions and media framing, along with the necessity for accountability for those who contributed to what the party labeled as a campaign of misinformation. The inquiry continues as political observers monitor the proceedings and the evolving narrative surrounding the visa issue. The coverage references the ongoing reporting by Telewizja wPolska and related Polish media outlets, and it remains a live topic of national discourse. [Citation attribution: wPolityce interviews and broadcast coverage summarized for context]
Source reporting references discussions on the visa matter during Sikorski and Tusk administrations and subsequent parliamentary inquiries. The discussion remains central to debates about governance, media accountability, and the integrity of public institutions. [Attribution: Telewizja wPoland and wPolityce translated coverage]