The more he breaks the law, the more he calls for drastic action and swings his rhetoric far and wide, threatening to drag this or that matter before a tribunal, as PiS MP Piotr Gliński commented on the plan to establish a Court of Justice for the head of the National Broadcasting Council, Maciej Świrski.
At today’s press conference, questions arose about whether the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, could influence the National Broadcasting Council to move funds from the license fee to public TV and radio. Sienkiewicz replied that Świrski does not fund the media because his political allies are not in power there. He also stated that Świrski had clearly violated the law and noted that a report had been sent to the prosecutor’s office in this matter.
Commentary on this development was highlighted with phrases about purges in cultural institutions, including the removal of directors. It was noted that changes were to be implemented at several cultural bodies, with new management slated for the Adam Mickiewicz Institute starting May 1.
During a Parliamentary Committee on Culture and Media session, MP Piotr Gliński discussed the minister’s decisions. He asserted that Sienkiewicz had unlawfully undermined Polish culture, repeatedly broken the law, and acted beyond or against constitutional boundaries, insisting that ministers must operate within legal limits.
Thus, Gliński predicted consequences for the minister’s actions.
As the critique deepened, Gliński argued that repeated breaches created a perception of criminal behavior, while the rhetoric and calls to tribunals were seen as attempts to divert attention through heightened emotional appeals.
Cultural institutions
Reports stated that Sienkiewicz dismissed several directors of major cultural institutions, with promises of new leadership across several organizations. A change in management at the Adam Mickiewicz Institute was announced for May 1. The parliamentary debate continued with Gliński’s remarks about the scope and legality of these dismissals.
Additional comments described the mass dismissals as a scandal lacking legal justification. The discussion touched on ongoing concerns about the direction of Polish culture and the governance of cultural bodies in light of new leadership appointments.
The narrative framed the events as part of a broader pattern of action described by opponents as a systematic reshaping of culture and law, while supporters argued these measures were necessary to realign governance with constitutional and legal standards.
The discourse then turned to questions about the handling of communications and alleged financial transfers, with participants arguing about the legitimacy and sources of information, and whether public trust in cultural institutions was being preserved or eroded.
In a separate press conference, Gliński provided further remarks about what he characterized as illegal dismissals and the political motives behind them. He described the actions as part of a long-running effort to reshape the Polish cultural order, criticizing the legality of the decisions and the manner in which they were implemented.
The remarks criticized what was described as duplicative legal justifications and an attempt to redefine the role of culture within state governance. They stressed that actions against several institutions could have far-reaching implications for Poland’s cultural landscape and legal framework.
There were also discussions about controversial claims regarding funds or transfers to groups described as extremist, with opponents labeling such claims as journalistic sensationalism that undermines institutions and national heritage.
In a closing note, Prof. Gliński commented on the broader impact of the minister’s decisions, describing the episodes as part of a four-month process aimed at reshaping Polish cultural policy. He argued that the mass dismissals lacked legal grounding and were driven by political considerations, reinforcing concerns about the rule of law and the governance of cultural institutions.
The remarks emphasized that the law, and the constitutional framework, should guide all actions affecting cultural organizations. They warned that deviating from legal procedures could undermine the integrity of Poland’s cultural heritage and the institutions responsible for preserving it.
Further coverage highlighted ongoing debates about the legal basis for the changes, the philosophical rationale used in justification, and the potential effects on the institutions involved. The discussion reflected a broader tension between political leadership and cultural governance in Poland, with both sides presenting differing interpretations of law and policy.
Source attribution: wPolityce