The PiS asks for donations...
As we learned yesterday around 5:00 p.m., the State Electoral Commission rejected the PiS financial study from the 2023 parliamentary election, pointing to irregularities in the run backing of PLN 3.6 million. As a result, the PiS subsidy will be reduced by PLN 10 million and the organization may lose the subsidy for 3 years.
In response, the Law and Justice Office launched a fund-raiser for its actions, calling for support in the fight for a “Poland worthy, sovereign and law-abiding”. The organization provided an account number and instructions for making donations, stressing that they should be labelled as ‘gifts’.
One PiS politician admitted in a conversation with Money.pl portal that they do not anticipate much money from the collection. Consequently, there are voices in the areas of Law and Justice that greater financial participation should be forced from activists, in peculiar parliamentarians, Euro MPs and those associated with government positions.
...and looking for the perpetrator
Prior to the decision of the Polish Law and Justice Office, common accusations of work for the situation which could seriously jeopardise the financial stableness of the organization began. 1 interlocutor pointed out that the faction related to Mariusz Błaszczak wanted PKW to focus on possible irregularities in NASK and Government Legislative Centre run funding.
According to the sources to which Money.pl has reached, specified actions aim to remove work for the organisation of military picnics, which can be a key point of account, especially as Jarosław Kaczyński openly conducted agitation on them.
Among the people liable for PLN 3.6 million, which PKW challenged, the biggest blame falls on Zbigniew Ziobra, as the production and issuance of the place with its participation cost more than PLN 2.6 million. another politicians are liable for smaller amounts: RCL run spending is PLN 214 thousand, NASK – over PLN 500 thousand, and Nordic walking with the participation of erstwhile Deputy Prime Minister Emilewicz cost PLN 25,5 1000 net.
Gierty's rolling guns...
Member of the KO Roman Giertych, president of the Parliamentary Law and Justice Board, responded to a mistake in the collection. He stated that the fundraising conducted by the PiS appeared to be illegal. Mr Gierty besides referred to a provision which states that ‘who makes public collections contrary to the prohibition referred to in Article 24(6) shall be subject to a fine’.
Therefore, the counsel announced to file a announcement against PiS activists, accusing them of mass committing specified crimes.
... but I don't think he's right.
However, many believe that Gierty is wrong. There is an argument that, although parties cannot organise public collections, this provision refers to ‘collection of victims in cash or in kind, in a public place for a circumstantial legitimate purpose’. The publication of an account number to deposit donations is not considered a public fundraiser, which means that, according to the regulations, all political parties can do so without fear of sanctions.
According to Virtual Polish writer Patrick Nightingale:
Donald Tusk in 2023 virtually recorded a movie asking him to deposit money on the Civic Platform. And of course, he did not pay any fine, due to the fact that no provision forbids parties to encourage contributions to their benefit.
Matthew Sabat, who utilized to be a associate of the Modern Party, is besides of the same opinion:
That's bullshit. The parties – including the PO – have been collecting money online for years and the PiS can besides do so. The patron confuses or intentionally manipulates the concept of public collection, which presently only means collecting money on the street (e.g. in a can – where the donor is anonymous). The alleged net fundraisers are nothing but donations. They are legal provided that the organization is able to identify the contributor and meets the requirements of the law.