Today, during a meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (LIBE), a discussion took place on the Commission’s report on the rule of law in 2025 and the close link between the recommendations contained therein and the financial support planned under the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). During the discussion, which included Michael McGrath, the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, PiS MEP Mariusz Kamiński took the floor.
Mariusz Kamiński addressed the Commission’s remarks regarding Poland contained in the report. “I want to make this clear to you: I am outraged and disgusted by this document,” stated the PiS politician, pointing out that the description of the state of the rule of law in Poland “does not even maintain the appearance of objectivity, adopting solely the viewpoint of the current government.”
As he noted, instead of conducting a thorough analysis, the Commission writes about further progress in restoring the rule of law in Poland. He stated that this “restoration of the rule of law” is taking place under the slogan publicly proclaimed by Tusk: “The law is as we understand it.” “The Constitution and the provisions of existing laws are being violated, and the government is seeking to bring the courts, tribunals, and the independent central bank under its control. The prosecutor, who is fully at the government’s disposal, serves as an instrument of repression against the opposition,” — Kamiński listed, noting that the Commission’s report is silent on these matters. At the same time, as the PiS politician said, the document states that “significant steps have been taken to separate the offices of the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General.” “That’s an obvious lie! Despite having been in office for two years, Tusk’s government has not submitted a draft bill to that effect to parliament,” Kamiński noted.
Furthermore, he said, the report states that “the government is working to strengthen the legislative framework for combating corruption.” The MEP stated that “this is yet another lie,” and that behind this statement lies a bill adopted by the government to abolish the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau, which has been effectively fighting corruption for 20 years. “Tusk wants to destroy anti-corruption institutions and mechanisms to ensure impunity for his people,” – stated Kamiński, recalling the high-profile scandal surrounding the dismissal of proceedings against former Minister Nowak, a close associate of Tusk, who had been accused of corruption.
Finally, as Kamiński noted, the Commission’s report indicates that the government intends to make changes to the system for filing financial disclosure statements to ensure their effective verification. He noted, however, that the report failed to mention that the current Minister of Justice, Waldemar Żurek, had classified his financial disclosure statement to conceal the large number of properties he owns. “These are just a few examples illustrating the true state of the rule of law in Poland. The Commission is aware of this and is consciously condoning it,” stated the MEP.
The PiS politician addressed Commissioner McGrath: “Poles will not allow an authoritarian regime to take root in our country. That is precisely why the opposition candidate, Karol Nawrocki, became the new President of Poland. You helped Tusk come to power, but you are unable to prevent his downfall. It’s only a matter of time.”
