In Warsaw, Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk made allegations on Friday against Poland’s previous administration. He claimed that the former government had unlawfully spent 100 billion Polish zlotys, equivalent to $25 billion, and announced plans by the current government to attempt to recover the funds. Following a six-month investigation and audits, numerous instances of financial misconduct were uncovered, resulting in charges against 62 individuals from the prior “ruling elite.”
Tusk, a centrist leader, heads a broad coalition that secured victory in a national election last year with pledges to uphold democratic values. The current government assumed power in December, ending an eight-year tenure by the national conservative Law and Justice party, which faced criticism from the EU for undermining democratic principles. Allegations of nepotism and corruption, such as the misappropriation of state funds for party allies and foundations, were also reported by Polish media during Law and Justice’s rule.
Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw, Tusk disclosed that the heads of the interior, justice, and finance ministries had signed an accord to collaborate on endeavors to safeguard and restore the misappropriated state assets. He highlighted that this unprecedented accountability process occurred swiftly and effectively post the change in government leadership, indicating a departure from past practices in Poland. Tusk’s predecessor, Mateusz Morawiecki, countered the accusations, labeling them as “lies” orchestrated to damage Law and Justice, the country’s primary opposition party.
