After weeks in Hungary, erstwhile Minister of Justice and lawyer General Zbigniew Ziobro moved to the European Union capital. In an interview with the pro-government for the Law and Justice in Poland24 he stated that he was not going to submit to anyone.
“I travel Europe, I am a free man, and their hands cannot scope me,” said Zbigniew Ziobro, stressing that he besides came to Brussels to hit the current head of government. – I am here, showing its ineffectiveness, inefficiency – he added, referring to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Brussels is, of course, not a random place. Ziobro knows the corridors of the European Parliament "like his own pocket", even from erstwhile he was a Euro MP himself. It was there that he appeared on Thursday 4 December, walking around the building and dating old organization buddies.
"Turist of the Year" in the corridors of the European Parliament
Seeing Ziobra in good humour and in good physical form immediately sparked reactions from opposition politicians. There were terms that were hard to read another than as a public "accounting" for the erstwhile minister's fresh years of his activity.
"Turist of the Year. Direction: anywhere but Poland. The full Zbigniew 'muchishon fujara' Ziobro!" – described the full situation in 1 very clear entry by the Left MP Tomasz Trela.
MEP Dariusz Joński pointed out the dissonance between the media image of a severely sick politician and his behaviour in Brussels:
"In a amazingly good form, Ziobro is brazenly walking around the European Parliament today. Yesterday he looked like he was preparing for his next trip. Does the court gotta wait until December 22?" – wrote Joński on platform X.
Bartosz Arłukowicz from KO pointed out the same aspect – the well-being of Ziebra. "It is good to see Minister Ziobro in good form in the corridors of the European Parliament. He's got the strength to meet his colleagues at the Law and Justice, which is promising. He must watch out for large gatherings of people, due to the fact that it is in serious illness not recommended" – we read in the political entry.
On the another side of the political scene was voiced, among others, by the Euro MP of PiS Maciej Wąsik, who tried to reverse the communicative and hit Donald Tusk. "Zigniew Ziobro in the European Parliament! That's not what Tusk's script was expected to be. The angry Tusk, who wanted to harass Ziobra for the applause of his toughest electorate, came out again to be a dick," Wąsik wrote.
On the another hand, Ryszard Terlecki, 1 of the most crucial politicians of the Law and Justice Party, straight advises Ziobra to return to the country. – I would not urge it, due to course they will shut it down, but the tv audience thinks so in most cases. I think so – he spoke to journalists. “We are losing in the interior wars of factions, which are getting tougher and worse now,” Terlecki added.
Interestingly, erstwhile asked about Ziebra's case, PiS politician replied that "it is of course drowning us".
Political calculations and fear of December 22
Although comments on social media frequently have the character of malicious guidelines, behind this emotional language lies a very circumstantial procedural calendar. The D.A. wants to file a full of 26 charges against the Justice Fund. The most crucial of these concerns the management of an organized crime group, which, according to investigators, was to take over PLN 150 million from a state fund formally appointed to aid victims of crimes and support the judiciary.
The Sejm's Rules of Procedure Committee has already agreed to waive the immunity of the erstwhile Minister, which has opened the way for the formulation of the charges. The prosecution besides requested temporary detention, citing "a legitimate fear of escaping or hiding". It is in this context that the date is 22 December – then the alleged detention session is to be held.
Until then, Ziobro can decision freely across the European Union, utilizing the fact that neither the European Arrest Warrant nor Interpol's red evidence are yet available. After a possible adverse ruling, the situation can change dramatically – investigators will gain the right to launch a full set of tools to prosecute people hiding abroad.
