During the election campaign, PiS organized 67 military picnics, which were de facto attended only by PiS MPs. These were election rallies of a political party and we need to be clear about that – said Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk on TVN24. About 2 million zlotys were paid for organizing the aforementioned events.
“The National Electoral Commission has received new documents from the government that could destroy Law and Justice. According to the Ministry of National Defense, Jarosław Kaczyński's party was supposed to use public funds that did not fit into the expenses of the election committee to conduct campaign agitation,” Wirtualna Polska reported on Wednesday.
According to the portal's findings, 67 military picnics were organized under the name “Strong White and Red” from August 12 to 15, 2023, during the campaign. PiS politicians, mainly candidates for MPs and senators, participated in all the events.
Mariusz Błaszczak during a military picnic in Tomaszów Mazowiecki (photo from 2022)PAP/Roman Zawistowski
“The direct expenses of the Ministry of Defence, i.e. the cost of purchasing goods and services for the organisation of picnics, amounted to PLN 1.76 million,” wp.pl reported, citing information from the Ministry of National Defence. PiS refutes these allegations, claiming that the campaign was conducted in accordance with the rules and fully legally.
Picnics for public money
Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk In an interview with TVN24 he stated that “the picnics were not organised to promote the memory of Polish weapons, but to organise PiS rallies for public money”.
– During the election campaign, PiS organized 67 military picnics, which were de facto attended only by PiS MPs. That means that in 60 out of 67 picnics, only PiS MPs and PiS ministers were invited guests – said the politician.
As estimated, the cost of the organized events amounted to approximately PLN 2 million. – Two million zlotys should be added directly to the funds of the PiS Electoral Committee, because public money was used to organize election rallies, at which Jaroslaw Kaczynski agitated on behalf of his party – he emphasized.
Soldiers at PiS rallies
– Polish soldiers were standing behind Kaczyński. They were standing there when he was campaigning for one of the political parties during the election campaign. I remember, and I think we all remember, Mr. Misiewicz, over whom a soldier of the Polish Army, an officer of the Polish Army from Podhale, held an umbrella during his speech. So how is Kaczyński different from Misiewicz today? In my opinion, nothing. He stood against the background of soldiers who were put there on orders and was campaigning for PiS. This should never have happened – stated the deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense.
Tomczyk added that the guest list in most cases included only PiS politicians. Only in five cases were councilors from opposition parties noted.
– Therefore, we also decided that we will file a report on this matter to the prosecutor's office. Against Minister Błaszczak, in connection with possible abuse of power, in connection with Article 231 of the Penal Code. And also a notification concerning a breach of the Electoral Code. The Electoral Code clearly states that parties may finance an election campaign only from their own funds – the deputy minister listed.
– Not from the Ministry of National Defense funds, not from the 800+ picnics, not from the public purse, but from their own money. I believe that these people should ultimately return this money to the state budget. It would be best if it came back from the PiS budget – Tomczyk summed up.
Main image source: TVN24