Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has been charged with exceeding his powers by ordering a postal-only presidential election in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors claim he acted without legal justification, leading to a costly cancellation of the plan, while Morawiecki defends his decisions as necessary under the circumstances. The case reflects ongoing political tensions in Poland as Morawiecki accuses the current government of politically motivated persecution.
Mateusz Morawiecki, a former prime minister of Poland, faces charges for exceeding his authority in directing that the 2020 presidential election be conducted entirely through postal votes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors assert that there were no legal justifications for organizing the election in this manner. Eventually, the planned election was delayed and held in polling stations several weeks later, incurring an estimated cost of 70 million zlotys, approximately $17.5 million, for the aborted postal voting arrangement.
Morawiecki, who stepped down from office at the end of 2023, was questioned by the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw but opted not to provide any testimony. Prosecutorial spokesperson Piotr Skiba announced that Morawiecki was charged with overstepping his official powers and neglecting his duties, which he disputes. Upon arrival for questioning, Morawiecki maintained that his actions in 2020, aimed at safeguarding electoral integrity during the pandemic, were his constitutional responsibility as prime minister.
Morawiecki lamented the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, asserting that no nation was fully prepared to address such a global emergency. He stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic was a great challenge for the entire world. The world froze, the world had no procedures. No one was prepared.”
Supporters gathered to express solidarity, while Morawiecki denounced the accusations as politically motivated retaliation from the current government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Earlier adjudications in 2020 concluded that the decision to employ the national postal service for a fully postal vote contravened multiple legal statutes regarding election organization.
In summary, Mateusz Morawiecki is charged with overstepping his authority regarding the execution of the 2020 presidential election through postal voting, a decision deemed illegal by prosecutors. The financial implications of this aborted election effort fell heavily on taxpayers. Morawiecki, asserting the need for swift actions during the pandemic, rejects allegations of inappropriate conduct, while supporters claim the charges are politically motivated. Legal proceedings continue as the current government seeks accountability for the former administration’s actions.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
