Their parties were both in the conservative European People’s Party in the European Parliament, both had cut their teeth in the anti-communist opposition in the late 1980s, and both had often encountered each other as they rose through the ranks in their respective countries. “Being in the same EU party and sharing a passion for … Read more
The issue has become a major point of contention between the new government and PiS. Tusk has long promised to hold PiS accountable for what he said was their “eight corrupt years” in power. One of the most striking examples was the accusation that the State Forests — a body that owns most of the country’s forests and … Read more
PiS also put severe curbs on media freedom while it was in power, including by putting public broadcasters under tight political control. Upon seeing Małecka-Trzaskoś in a group of journalists, Kaczyński said: “You know, this is not a matter for children, so, my dear … go away.” “I have freedom of speech,” Małecka-Trzaskoś replied. “But … Read more
His backers allege that he was mistreated and tortured in prison, a charge the Justice Ministry strongly denies. “We are shocked by the information we received regarding the circumstances of the arrest and detention of Father Michael Olszewski, who is currently in temporary custody,” said PiS MP Michał Wójcik. Other MPs accused the new government … Read more
Poland’s TVN television estimated that Civic Platform won in 10 regions, up from seven in 2018, and PiS was in the lead in six. However, other parties making up the incumbent ruling coalition are likely to have won enough regional seats to be able to control most regional assemblies, which are key bodies for managing … Read more
The European Commission launched the so-called Article 7 sanctions procedure, which can see a country lose its voting rights in the European Council, in 2017 against Poland under the previous Law and Justice government. The move came after the government introduced reforms which the EU’s top court found violated rule-of-law standards. When Prime Minister Donald … Read more
Other top officials facing a summons to appear before the commission include former PiS Prime Minister Beata Szydło, former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, and former PiS MPs Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik — who headed the interior ministry and were recently pardoned by President Andrzej Duda following their conviction in an old corruption case. Kamiński … Read more
“If Berlin wants to transfer the money — you’re very welcome! We will even grant a discount if the money is received by the end of the year,” Sikorski said, and then added: “But seriously: money is a difficult issue in times of war and crisis.” Instead, the foreign minister suggested that the German government … Read more
Kaczyński spoke to Wojciechowski on Friday afternoon and asked him to resign, people in the European Commission told POLITICO, adding that Wojciechowski was “seriously considering” doing so. Farmers in Poland blockaded roads and major border crossings with Ukraine on Friday at the start of a month-long series of protests across the country. The farmers demand … Read more
Polish President Andrzej Duda said Thursday that he would pardon two members of parliament facing two years in prison for abuse of power — a significant retreat on his earlier position that a pardon he issued in 2015 was enough to spare them from jail. He said he made the decision after meeting with the … Read more
