Poland's lawmakers set up probe into 'cash-for-visas scandal'

Polish MPs have established a commission of inquiry into the so-called "cash-for-visas scandal," involving allegations that Polish consulates overseas issued work visas to migrants in exchange for bribes under the previous conservative government.

Polish Sejm (lower house of parliament) in session on December 19, 2023.

X/Polish Sejm

Poland's Sejm (lower house of parliament) voted 259-79, with one abstention, to launch the probe, on Tuesday night.

The inquiry into the so-called cash-for-visas scandal had been proposed by the co-governing Civic Coalition (KO).

The 11-member panel will be tasked with "investigating the legality, propriety and efficacy" of measures taken by state agencies between January 2019 and November 2023 to "legalise the stay of foreign nationals on Polish territory."

The commission will also probe any instances of "abuse, negligence and omission" of duty in this respect. 

❗️#Sejm podjął uchwałę ws. powołania komisji śledczej do zbadania legalności, prawidłowości oraz celowości działań, a także występowania nadużyć, zaniedbań i zaniechań w zakresie legalizacji pobytu cudzoziemców na terytorium RP w okresie od dnia 1 stycznia 2019 r. do dnia 20… pic.twitter.com/VJcicnySLr

— Sejm RP🇵🇱 (@KancelariaSejmu) December 19, 2023

It is the second investigative panel established by Poland's new parliament, state news agency PAP reported. 

Earlier on Tuesday, MPs opened an inquiry into measures taken by the authorities to hold the 2020 presidential election as a postal vote.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, rp.pl