Polish Electoral Body Penalizes Former Ruling Party for Campaign Violations

Poland's State Electoral Commission has issued a ruling against the former governing party, Law and Justice, for breaching campaign finance regulations during the 2023 parliamentary elections. This decision, announced on August 29, 2024, imposes substantial financial penalties that could significantly impact the party's resources for the upcoming 2025 presidential election.

The commission determined that Law and Justice, which governed Poland from 2015 to 2023, improperly utilized 3.6 million zlotys (approximately $930,000) in public funds during their campaign. As a consequence, the party is required to reimburse this amount and face a reduction in government subsidies amounting to about 10 million zlotys ($2.5 million) annually.

These penalties, while subject to appeal, could substantially diminish the party's financial capacity for the 2025 presidential race, where they aim to maintain their hold on the executive office. The decision aligns with the commission's legal obligation to review financial reports of all parties participating in elections, with penalties imposed for budget overruns exceeding 1%.

Mateusz Morawiecki, who served as Prime Minister under Law and Justice, criticized the ruling as "shameful" and part of a "political game" by the current government. He stated:

"The government's goal is revenge and pushing the opposition to the margin."

Morawiecki announced the party's intention to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, where Law and Justice still maintains some influence.

Earlier this month, party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski suggested that the commission was acting under pressure from the current centrist and pro-European Union government led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Kaczynski warned that any punitive decision would signify the end of democracy in Poland.

It's worth noting that Poland joined the European Union in 2004 and has been a NATO member since 1999. The country operates under a semi-presidential system with a mixed electoral process, combining proportional representation and single-member districts. The President of Poland is elected by popular vote for a five-year term, adding significance to the upcoming 2025 election.

The Law and Justice party, founded in 2001 by the Kaczyński twins, Lech and Jarosław, is known for its conservative and Eurosceptic stance. Despite being the largest single party in the October 15, 2023 general election, they were unable to form a government. Instead, a coalition led by Donald Tusk, who previously served as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2014, secured a majority in parliament.

Since taking office, the new government has been investigating its predecessor for alleged abuses of power and state finances. Supporters of Law and Justice view these efforts as politically motivated attempts to undermine the opposition.

As Poland, with its population of approximately 38 million, navigates this political landscape, the outcome of the appeal to the Supreme Court and its impact on the 2025 presidential election remain to be seen.