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Polish president backs changes to Russian influence law

03.08.2023 00:05
Poland’s president has greenlighted changes to a new law that establishes a state commission to investigate Russian influence in Polish politics.
Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Polish President Andrzej Duda.Photo: Grzegorz Jakubowski/KPRP

President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday signed the changes into effect after they were approved by Poland's parliament at the end of last monthpublic broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

The new law, which entered into force on May 31, establishes a state commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland from 2007 to 2022.

It was enacted as an initiative by Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.

On June 2, Duda proposed a series of modifications to the law, saying the new commission of inquiry should not include lawmakers or have power to ban anyone from holding public office.

Instead, the panel should be empowered “to state that a person who has been found to be acting under Russian influence does not guarantee the proper performance of public duties," the president said at the time.

Duda told reporters he was sending amendments to parliament because he was aware of domestic and international criticism surrounding the law.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP