Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has been charged with exceeding his powers regarding a 2020 election conducted through postal voting during the pandemic. Prosecutors claim this lacked legal basis, incurring significant taxpayer costs. Morawiecki asserts he acted out of necessity and defends against accusations of political persecution by the current government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has been charged with exceeding his authority regarding the order for a presidential election to be conducted solely by postal votes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors assert that there was no legal basis for such an election to occur in the fashion Morawiecki proposed. Eventually, the presidential election, intended for May 2020, was postponed and conducted through traditional polling stations weeks later, incurring an estimated cost of at least 70 million zlotys (approximately $17.5 million) to taxpayers.
On February 27, 2025, Morawiecki appeared for questioning at the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw but declined to provide testimony. Prosecutor spokesperson Piotr Skiba informed the media that Morawiecki faces charges for exceeding his powers and failing to meet official responsibilities. Morawiecki contended that he was undertaking his duty as prime minister during a critical time when the pandemic was affecting numerous lives, declaring that he waived his parliamentary immunity to facilitate the investigation.
He emphasized, “The COVID-19 pandemic was a great challenge for the entire world. The world froze, the world had no procedures. No one was prepared, no country, neither in Europe nor on other continents.” Morawiecki maintained that his actions were rightfully aligned with his constitutional obligations to ensure a timely presidential election.
Supporters gathered to express their solidarity, chanting Morawiecki’s name amid the unfolding legal turmoil. The charges arise as Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government targets members of the former conservative administration, accusing them of breaches in the rule of law and corruption, allegations which Morawiecki and his associates staunchly deny. A prior court ruling in 2020 concluded that the decision made to utilize the national postal service for the election preparations by postal vote had violated several legal provisions.
The indictment of former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki for exceeding his authority during the 2020 presidential election underscores the complexities surrounding governance during the COVID-19 crisis. Morawiecki asserts he acted under constitutional duty while defending his decisions against claims of political persecution by the new government. This case exemplifies the ongoing tensions in Polish politics as a former administration faces scrutiny from its successors.
Original Source: apnews.com
