Tensions in ruling coalition over lifting Kaczyński's immunity

The ongoing debate over holding PiS MPs, including Jarosław Kaczyński, accountable for incidents during Smolensk anniversary events continues to highlight divisions within the ruling coalition. While Donald Tusk's recent statements stress the importance of swift accountability, coalition partners Poland 2050 and PSL have expressed a more cautious stance.

On Wednesday, the parliamentary Rules, Deputies' Affairs and Immunities Committee supported the motion for lifting the immunities of the implicated MPs. However, Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia expressed reservations, emphasizing the delicate nature of the matter given its connection to the grief surrounding the Smolensk tragedy.

The final decision will be made by the Sejm.

This cautious stance has prompted criticism from Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who in a late-night post on social media platform X, stressed the need for accountability.

"Settling accounts with PiS is progressing more slowly because not everyone in the Coalition understands that without accountability, there can be no restoration of the Republic," the prime minister wrote.

"And if they don't get their act together soon, they will be held accountable by the people themselves," he added.

Responding the following morning, Hołownia indirectly addressed Tusk's remarks, emphasizing the need to prioritize substantive justice over symbolic gestures.

"Some believe that issuing fines for removing plaques constitutes 'accountability.' It's high time to charge and convict those who stole people's money. They committed serious crimes. People are waiting for justice, not theatrics or revenge."

Michał Kobosko, MEP for Poland 2050, addressed the controversy during a TVN24 interview. He downplayed any suggestion that Tusk's criticisms were aimed at his party, emphasizing that Poland 2050 does not have significant influence over the accountability processes.

"I don't get the impression that there is increasing contentiousness. Perhaps I sense some frustration on the part of the prime minister - that not everything is proceeding as he would like, not everything is going as we would want, or as Speaker Hołownia would want - because certain things are indeed moving too slowly," he assessed.

Kobosko argued that his party lacks jurisdiction over key institutions like the prosecutor's office or law enforcement.

Kobosko also questioned the focus on Kaczyński's actions regarding the destruction of a wreath, calling it a "humanly debatable matter." He compared it to more severe allegations involving financial and criminal misconduct, suggesting that accountability efforts should prioritize more substantive issues.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and leader of the Polish People's Party (PSL), Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, also responded to the prime minister's post.

"I can say that the Ministry of Defense is perhaps the only one to have presented a report on Mr. Macierewicz. We made it public, held a debate in the Sejm, and submitted 41 motions to the prosecutor's office," he said.

Asked which minister was acting too slowly, Kosiniak-Kamysz replied: "The Prime Minister is best qualified to assess the ministers." The deputy PM was also asked if there were tensions within the coalition, given Tusk's posts. "No. My relationship with the Prime Minister is only good, even very good," he replied.

Regarding how he would vote on the motion to lift Kaczyński's immunity, he stated: "We will discuss this during a club meeting, which the Deputy Speaker and our parliamentary club chairman from PSL-Third Way has called for today, so that discussion is still ahead of us."