Former Polish Prime Minister Charged Over 2020 Election Misconduct

Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has been charged with misusing his powers during the 2020 presidential election, which was to be held entirely through postal votes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors say his actions lacked legal support, resulting in substantial financial costs to taxpayers. Morawiecki argues he was acting within his constitutional rights and claims to be the target of political persecution by the current government.

On February 27, 2025, former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki faced charges for allegedly exceeding his powers by mandating that the 2020 presidential election be conducted entirely through postal voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors contend that the legal basis for such an arrangement did not exist, resulting in a postponement of the election, which ultimately took place several weeks later at polling stations. The failed postal election is estimated to have incurred costs of at least 70 million zlotys (approximately $17.5 million) to taxpayers.

Morawiecki, who left office in late 2023, appeared at the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw, where he declined to provide a statement. Prosecutor Piotr Skiba commented on the situation, indicating that Morawiecki is charged with overstepping his authority and neglecting his official responsibilities. In defense of his actions during the pandemic, Morawiecki expressed that he functioned according to the demands of his role amid an unprecedented crisis and sought to organize an election when many were affected by the virus.

The former Prime Minister asserted that he was subjected to political persecution by the current government headed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, suggesting that his efforts were unjustly criticized. Morawiecki emphasized the challenges posed by the pandemic, stating, “The COVID-19 pandemic was a great challenge for the entire world. The world froze; no one was prepared, no country, neither in Europe nor on other continents.”

Supporters rallied around Morawiecki, chanting his name as he maintained that he acted in line with his constitutional obligation to conduct the presidential election within designated timeframes. This move by Tusk’s administration is part of a broader strategy to hold accountable members of the previous government for alleged legal violations and corruption, allegations that Morawiecki and his associates firmly deny. A court had previously determined in 2020 that the initiative to enlist the national postal service for the election by mail contravened multiple legal provisions.

The case against Mateusz Morawiecki represents a significant legal and political moment in Poland, with implications not only for the former prime minister but also for the ongoing conflict between the ruling government and former officials. As the situation develops, it raises questions about accountability, governance during crises, and the intersection of politics and law. Morawiecki’s assertion of political persecution complicates these dynamics, highlighting the divided political landscape in contemporary Poland.

Original Source: apnews.com