Poland 2050 Leader Challenges PKW Rejection of 2021 Financial Report
The leader of Poland 2050 spoke out after the party’s financial report for 2021 was rejected by the National Electoral Commission, PKW. He argued that the timing of the registration, which only became valid recently, left the party without a bank account and with a limited ability to operate in the year covered by the report. He said he would appeal the PKW decision to the Supreme Court, expressing strong disagreement with the ruling.
The party’s chief told reporters that the PKW decision was unfair in principle and that the party would take its case to higher judicial oversight. This stance came as the party faced scrutiny over its 2021 financial disclosures, which showed minimal activity and reporting gaps in funds, donations, and non-monetary contributions.
According to a publication, Hołownia Party’s accounting documents indicated a near-complete pause in party operations throughout the year. In the disclosure, the party recorded zero figures in several boxes, noting that deposits, donations, and non-monetary assets were either negligible or not recorded during the period.
During a television segment, Hołownia explained that the party’s registration process took more than a year, spanning from March 2021 to March 2022, with the formal entry into the register following two months later. He noted that before obtaining legal registration, banks repeatedly refused to open accounts, citing the lack of formal recognition of the party or the general policy of not maintaining accounts for political organizations.
Hołownia mentioned that attempts to establish a financial presence with several banks ended in refusals, leaving the party with limited formal channels for activity. He asserted that any legitimate activities were conducted by the association that he also presided over, or by affiliated bodies, such as the Strategy Institute 2050, rather than by the political party itself when necessary events occurred.
Rzeczpospolita reported that one factor behind the 2021 report’s issues was a party congress held in September 2021. The event included a notable guest and faced scrutiny over benefits accepted by affiliated groups, including the Polska 2050 Association and the Institute for Strategy 2050. The PKW noted that these benefits were tied to promotional activities that did not align with the reporting rules, contributing to the report’s rejection.
In practical terms, Poland 2050 does not receive state subsidies, which adds a symbolic dimension to the PKW’s rejection of the report. The situation has caused embarrassment for the movement, given the seriousness of the allegations and the broader implications for party governance and financial transparency.
Hołownia, reflecting on the period of absence from organizational activity, stated that the party waited a year and a half to build its structures. He argued that without registration, the party would be in a much weaker position today, implying that the current obstacles may be used by larger parties to prevent a new political force from gaining traction and sharing in the political pie. The party’s leadership framed the dispute as a strategic contest over access to resources and influence.
The controversy has drawn attention to the mechanisms by which political groups register, secure financial accounts, and report activity. It highlights tensions between new political movements and established parties, especially around credibility, governance, and accountability in party finances. Observers note that the resolution of this dispute could influence how similar cases are handled in the future and may shape public perception of Poland 2050 as it seeks to expand its organizational base.
(This summary reflects reporting on the PKW decision and the party’s public responses.)