Polish officials pressed MEP Radosław Sikorski to clarify the origin of funds amounting to 800 thousand euros that appeared in his account. The issue, raised during a January session of the parliamentary committee on European Union affairs, was brought to light by a spokesman for the ruling party who said the matter would be addressed in depth at the committee meeting that month.
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— Sikorski and 40 thousand euros. The deputy head of the foreign ministry suggested summoning the MEP to explain the information. “This matter did not emerge from nowhere”
An article published by the Brussels-based Politico portal recalled that the PO member earned 40,000 euros per month for unspecified consultations. The report points to several contested practices by Members of the European Parliament, which, according to the authors, culminated in a wider scandal, including the arrest of a Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili.
Solidarna Polska announced on Wednesday that it would file a request with the Central Anti-Craud Office to review Sikorski’s statements and income sources.
A spokesman for PiS noted at a press conference in the Sejm that there has long been ambiguity surrounding MEP Radosław Sikorski. The head of the parliamentary committee on EU affairs, Kacper Płażyński, announced a January special committee session to examine irregularities recently observed in the European Parliament. MPs were told that Sikorski would also be discussed at that meeting.
“We will certainly examine this topic in the context of what is happening in the European Parliament, as it appears to be forming a broader picture of unclear financial flows within the institution,” the spokesman stated.
He added that Sikorski had listed “income from foreign exchange” in his asset declarations but did not specify the sources or the consultations tied to the 800,000 euro influx.
According to the spokesman, organizations such as Transparency International have also expressed doubts about some EP practices. The call remains that Sikorski should directly address the sources of these funds and explain to the public where the money comes from, leaving no room for suspicion.
On December 13, the European Parliament dismissed the Greek Eva Kaili from her post as Vice-President. Kaili faces accusations of lobbying for Qatar in exchange for money, a case that also involves family members and other political figures tied to the EP. Politico reported that individuals including former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, former French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, and former EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos could be connected to the case.
Demand for CBA review of Sikorski’s asset declarations
A plan was announced to request a comprehensive check by the Central Anti-Corruption Office of Sikorski’s asset declarations since 2019, prompted by the Politico report and statements from Solidarna Polska member Jacek Dekora. Dekora spoke at a press conference about the need for transparency in how Sikorski’s compensation was described as “consultations.”
For greater transparency in public life, it is suggested that Sikorski promptly explains the rationale behind the extra payments and reveals who is behind these funds as described by Politico. The witness emphasized that the key point is for Polish authorities, namely the CBA, to verify the figures and sources involved.
The request to scrutinize all annual accounts of Sikorski since taking office aims to verify both income sources and the accuracy of asset declarations, as stated by the spokesperson. There is a hope that the Central Anti-Corruption Office will conduct a thorough review and confirm or clarify the financial details spanning Sikorski’s period in office.
Observers note that Sikorski should provide an explanation about any consulting engagements and the origin of the payments. This is a public matter, not a private transaction, and it merits full disclosure to dispel any lingering questions about a potential conflict of interest in light of ongoing concerns surrounding the European Parliament case.
That December, the European Parliament reaffirmed its stance in relation to Kaili, who is accused of lobbying for Qatar in return for payments, a development that has drawn attention to broader questions about money flows and governance within the EP. The case continues to prompt scrutiny of several figures connected to the union’s institutions.
tkwl/PAP
Source: wPolityce