The Onet.pl news outlet, citing government sources, reported on Tuesday that Tusk believes Szejna "has crossed a line."
Tusk has asked Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to grant Szejna leave and to urgently clarify the matter in all aspects, according to Polish state news agency PAP.
Earlier, Szejna admitted in a statement to the news portal Wirtualna Polska that he suffers from alcohol addiction. A few days ago, the daily Gazeta Wyborcza reported on his behavioral issues.
"Wszystkich, których dotknął mój problem przepraszam". ?Więcej:...
Opublikowany przez Gazeta Wyborcza Wtorek, 25 marca 2025
Deputy FM admits to alcohol addiction
"I acknowledge that I have struggled with alcohol abuse. Thanks to the support of my family, friends, and especially doctors ... and a team of therapists, I have regained control over my health. I apologize to everyone affected by my problem and sincerely thank those who have supported me," Szejna, a left-wing MP, said in his statement.
Szejna’s security clearance under scrutiny
According to wp.pl, Szejna was intoxicated on multiple occasions in the lower house of the Polish parliament (Sejm). The most recent incident occurred in January last year when he was already serving as a deputy foreign minister.
Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) is now reviewing whether Szejna should have access to highly classified NATO-related information. He is also under investigation for alleged financial misconduct related to office expenses and travel reimbursements.
FM acknowledges issue, security agency to 'verify'
Polish foreign ministry spokesman Paweł Wroński told wp.pl that Sikorski has acknowledged Szejna’s struggle with addiction.
However, he said that "it will be up to the Internal Security Agency to verify whether his claims about fighting alcoholism are true," journalist Patryk Michalski of Wirtualna Polska wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
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Source: IAR/PAP/Onet.pl/Wp.pl/Wyborcza.pl/X/@patrykmichalski