Former Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki Charged with Abuse of Power Over 2020 Election Attempt
Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has been charged with abuse of power for his role in attempting to organize a presidential election using mail-in ballots during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a prosecution spokesperson announced Thursday.
Morawiecki, who currently serves as deputy leader of the opposition nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, allegedly bypassed official election authorities and ordered the unauthorized printing of ballots. This decision reportedly cost the Polish government 70 million złoty (€17 million).
Despite these efforts, the mail-in election never took place. Instead, Poland proceeded with an in-person vote several months later, which resulted in a narrow victory for pro-PiS incumbent Andrzej Duda.
In January, Morawiecki voluntarily waived his immunity from prosecution. He has denied any wrongdoing and has refused to answer questions from prosecutors.
In a statement posted on X, Morawiecki claimed he was being “persecuted for the will to organize the presidential elections,” defending his actions as necessary during the global crisis. “If I had to make the decision again regarding the preparation of the elections at that time, I would do exactly the same. It was my duty. When the whole world froze because of the pandemic, I acted, for Poland. I continue to do so today. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
If found guilty, Morawiecki—who was recently elected leader of the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists party—could face up to three years in prison.













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