Andrzej Duda's words about Marcin Romanowski's escape. “I'm surprised that the president doesn't take the opportunity to say nothing”

Last week the government Hungarian granted international protection to Marcin Romanowski, PiS MPa former deputy minister of justice who is a suspect in the Justice Fund investigation and for whom a European Arrest Warrant has been issued.

President Andrzej Duda, referring to the Romanowski case on Monday on RMF FM, he said that “at first, he was surprised that such forces and resources were used to search for the MP, as if he was some kind of criminal, a bandit of the highest caliber.” Referring to the Hungarian government's decision, he said that from what he heard, Romanowski submitted a “broad application for asylum and broadly justified it.” – If he pointed out how the national prosecutor was overthrown (…), I am not surprised that Hungarians have doubts whether MP Romanowski is being treated in accordance with the principles of the rule of law or not – said Duda.

He was asked about these words in “Dot the I” Marcin Kierwińskigovernment plenipotentiary for removing the effects of floods.

– I'm surprised that President Duda doesn't take advantage of the opportunity to say nothing, because every time he speaks, he actually makes an even bigger blunder – commented the minister.

– The President of Poland is taking the side of a man facing probably eleven charges? This is something amazing, he said.

He pointed out that the president “a year ago he hid two convicts (Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik-ed.), today he defends the one who is fleeing from Poland.” – It is amazing that the head of state can behave like this. Let this term of office of Mr. President end as soon as possible. I thought he would not he will embarrass himself more, but every day brings a new embarrassment – said Kierwiński.

He also referred to Romanowski's conditions for returning to the country. The PiS MP argues that after the government implements them, “he will return to the country within six hours.”

– This gentleman doesn't set conditions. This gentleman is there to report to prison because the Polish court decided so, Kierwiński said. – We will not negotiate anything with a man facing very serious charges – he said.

He argued that Romanowski “will end up in prison sooner or later, regardless of whether he thinks he can impose conditions now or not.”

– We will do everything to bring Mr. Romanowski to a place of isolation. But I am also a realist in this matter that if (Viktor) Orban is not willing to cooperate, this may be a very long procedure – said the minister.

Kierwiński also talked about the issue of help for those affected by the September flood. He referred to introduced advance payment system for flood victims.

– 50 thousand is just an advance payment. Municipal commissions estimated the level of losses. If this level was higher than 50,000, OPS (Social Welfare Centers – ed.) will soon pay the missing amount – he said. He added that the rules for spending benefits for reconstruction after the flood are “very clear and legible.”

The government's representative for removing the effects of the flood said that “the advance payment system has worked” and currently “98 percent of advance payments or full benefits” in the Lower Silesian and Opole voivodeships have already been paid.

When asked whether people receiving advance payments will have to account for the money spent, he said that they will have to present invoices, bills and receipts.

– Please remember that we have public money, the money of all Poles. Of course, this money is supposed to go to the victims, because this is the role of the state and this is how the system is organized, but it does not change the fact that (the money – ed.) must also be accounted for, because it is public – he said.

At the end of November, Kierwiński announced that advance payments of PLN 50,000 to the injured would start.

– We would like these benefits to reach the injured people faster, (…) so that people could use this money as quickly as possible. That is why we included an advance payment system in the Flood Act (…). This means that everyone who submits an application will receive an advance payment of PLN 50,000 within three days, said the minister then.