The Chancellery of the President announced that a meeting at the presidential palace is set for Monday morning between President Andrzej Duda and prosecutor Dariusz Barski along with colleagues. The spokesperson warned that the nation faces a serious crisis.
Acts of the Minister of Justice
On Sunday, the presidential minister commented to Polsat News about the decision by Attorney General Adam Bodnar to dismiss National Prosecutor Dariusz Barski.
Kolarski recalled the president’s view that the actions of the head of the Ministry of Justice were unlawful.
“If the law governs Poland, the law follows from those statutes. The public prosecution service is defined by law, including the procedures for removing a national prosecutor and for appointing one. Those procedures were violated. Therefore, tomorrow morning there will be a meeting at the Presidential Palace where the President will invite National Prosecutor Dariusz Barski and his colleagues to discuss what happened, and respond to what was an attempted undermining of the independent prosecutor’s office”, Kolarski stated.
He added that the country faces a grave crisis. The minister said that under Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s tenure, a period of vengeance has taken hold.
Attempt to take over the National Public Prosecutor’s Office
On Friday, the Justice Department announced that Barski’s reinstatement to active duty in 2022 was made without a legal basis. According to the ministry, as of January 12, Barski no longer meets the requirements to serve as National Prosecutor and has not held that position since then. The ministry also announced that Jacek Bilewicz, a prosecutor at the National Public Prosecutor’s Office, has taken over as acting National Prosecutor.
The Minister of Justice also shared that the ministry would publish external legal opinions from recognized experts on the effectiveness of Barski’s reinstatement. It was noted that such opinions are not binding.
In a Saturday statement, Deputy Attorney General Adam Bodnar said it would be improper to entrust Jacek Bilewicz with the duties of Acting National Prosecutor, bypassing the procedures outlined in the Public Prosecution Act.
Additionally on Saturday, Deputy Attorney General Michał Ostrowski announced plans to file a report regarding possible wrongdoing by the head of the Ministry of Justice, as well as by prosecutor Jacek Bilewicz and others involved in the attempt to dismiss the national prosecutor Dariusz Barski.
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Meeting of the President with the Prime Minister
A discussion between President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk is also planned for Monday. Kolarski indicated that topics would include the cases involving PiS MPs Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik.
During an interview on Polsat News, Kolarski was asked whether the leaders can rise above personal grievances and focus on Poland, especially given the ongoing conflict at the eastern border and the risk that the political feud could escalate into a broader crisis.
The presidential minister noted that Duda has a long record of cooperation during his presidency and recalled the president’s stance that certain issues must transcend political disputes, especially those tied to security.
This is described as one of today’s most important matters, according to Kolarski.
When Prime Minister Tusk requested a meeting, the President promptly agreed to discuss the issue. The minister added that it is also essential to address what occurred last week, including the detention of several parliament members, and assured that this topic would be included in the talks.
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wkt/PAP
Source: wPolityce