In January 2024, Mateusz Morawiecki, erstwhile Prime Minister and politician of the Law and Justice Office, waived parliamentary immunity in connection with an ongoing investigation into the effort to organize the alleged enveloped election in 2020. The D.A. accuses him of exceeding his powers and failing to fulfil his duties. According to the national prosecutor Dariusz Korneluk, for this period a deadline was set for proceeding Morawiecki as a suspect. What is worth knowing about this case?
Envelope election investigation – latest information
In May 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the government considered holding presidential elections in correspondence form. Eventually, the thought was abandoned, and the elections were held in a conventional way. However, the prosecution launched an investigation, accusing Morawiecki that as Prime Minister he had exceeded his powers, taking action to prepare the envelope elections.
– Last week the statements of both these Members were received and I forwarded them to the territory Attorney's Office in Warsaw. As far as I know, for this period the deadline for proceeding Mr Morawiecki has already been set – the national prosecutor Dariusz Korneluk informed in a conversation on TVN 24.
Morawiecki will be questioned as a suspect. Korneluk stressed that the proceedings were legal and that any time limits were retained. – Only in urgent cases, erstwhile we deal with very rapidly carried out activities, these deadlines are not noticed. But if we have a case here that does not require specified fast action, the prosecutor is obliged by the Code of Criminal Procedure with prejudice to send a subpoena so that the fishy and the defender can calmly prepare for this proceeding and so happens – he explained.
Morawiecki rejects the allegations: “It is politically motivated”
Mateusz Morawiecki disagrees with the prosecution's allegations. In his message to the talker of the Sejm, he stressed that he renounced immunity due to the fact that he was convinced that "truth, law and justice will prevail." I renounced immunity due to the fact that I know that truth, law and justice will prevail. And the time of baseless, politically motivated allegations will end," wrote the erstwhile Prime Minister.
The politician besides pointed out that in his activities he had always been guided by "a concern for the common good". In the case of envelope elections, he claims, he meant "the work to defend the lives and wellness of citizens" and "ensure that they can exercise constitutional powers to democratically elect the president of the Republic of Poland".
Krzysztof Szczucki besides in the fire of charges
Not only did Mateusz Morawiecki waive his immunity in the envelope election investigation. The same was done by erstwhile head of the Government Legislative Centre, Krzysztof Szczucki. The D.A. intends to charge him with misuse of public funds. The details of this case are not yet known, but as Korneluk stressed, the proceedings are being conducted in accordance with the law and in due time.
Envelope elections – controversy around government decisions
Let us remind that in May 2020 the government planned to hold presidential elections in the form of correspondence. The COVID-19 pandemic and the request to guarantee the safety of citizens were identified as the main reason. Eventually, however, the thought was abandoned and the elections were held in a conventional way. However, the decision raised quite a few controversy, and the D.A. concluded that the government's actions could have violated the law.
Morawiecki was accused that as head of government he had exceeded his powers by making decisions on the preparation of the envelope elections. The prosecution's motion in this case went to the Sejm on 16 January 2024. The erstwhile Prime Minister has stressed from the outset that he acted in accordance with the constitution and in the interests of citizens.
What about the investigation?
The deadline for proceeding Mateusz Morawiecki was set for this month. The prosecution does not give details of the case, explaining the request to guarantee “the appropriate conduct of the action”. As Dariusz Korneluk stressed, the procedure does not go on for ‘weeks’ and all actions are taken in accordance with the applicable rules.
The issue of the envelope elections is inactive emotional and remains at the centre of public interest. Will the charges against Morawiecki and Szczucki prove justified? We will know the answer to this question in the coming months.
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Mateusz Morawiecki called for questioning as a suspect
