Law and Justice (PiS) leaders on Saturday acknowledged that many supporters feel the party has not been effective in holding the current government to account, which led to the decision to launch the project, including a website, in which citizens can anonymously report instances of alleged rule-of-law breaches.
The initiative was announced a day after Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed that his administration had uncovered USD 25 billion in suspected illegal state expenditures during Law and Justice’s time in power.
Tusk also noted that over 60 former PiS officials have been charged.
In response, PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński lashed out at Tusk, accusing him of spreading "false propaganda" and branding him a "brazen liar."
Kaczyński asserted that all actions taken by his party while in office were legal, and he criticized the current government's judicial reforms, which include efforts to remove judges earlier appointed by PiS, warning that these moves are driving Poland "back to a third-world system."
PiS deputy leader Mariusz Błaszczak joined Kaczyński in criticizing the government, claiming it has repeatedly violated the constitution and the law, citing the takeover of public media and the national prosecutor's office as examples.
Some legal experts have indeed questioned certain actions taken by Tusk's government, such as its public media takeover, with courts also rejecting parts of these actions.
PiS, however, has faced its own legal challenges. During its eight years in power, the party was found to have violated the law by various Polish and European court rulings. Under the Law and Justice rule, Poland's international rankings in democracy, media freedom, and the rule of law declined sharply.
Tusk's coalition, upon taking office, pledged to restore democracy and the rule of law in Poland, a commitment that has been praised by the European Union.
This year, Brussels ended its rule-of-law proceedings against Poland and released billions of euros in funds that had been frozen during the PiS government due to concerns over the rule of law.
(mo)
Source: PAP
