Mateusz Morawiecki, the former Prime Minister of Poland, has been charged with abuse of power due to his actions related to organizing a mail-in presidential election during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This development comes after an investigation by Poland’s national news agency and the prosecution, which alleges that Morawiecki bypassed the country’s National Electoral Commission via administrative decisions. Those decisions reportedly assigned election preparations to entities such as Poczta Polska (the national postal service) and the Polish Security Printing Works, leading to significant financial losses for both organizations. The full article detailing these charges can be found here.
During his visit to the prosecutor’s office on Thursday to address the charges, Morawiecki stood by his decision-making. He emphasized that, under similar circumstances, he would repeat his actions, arguing it was essential to hold the elections amidst the health crisis. He conveyed his stance on social media, claiming that such decisions were necessary to maintain the state’s smooth operation during the pandemic. More info about his statement can be viewed in the context of his recent comments.
In January 2025, Morawiecki decided to waive his parliamentary immunity concerning these allegations, asserting that uncovering the truth was crucial. Following his recent engagement with the prosecutor’s office, he stated his intention to provide testimony after reviewing the relevant case files thoroughly. The pertinent details regarding his waiver of immunity are noted here.
The decision to conduct an all-mail presidential election in 2020 was driven by health and safety concerns amid the pandemic’s first wave. However, critics condemned the initiative as politically driven, favoring the re-election of the incumbent, Andrzej Duda, supported by the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party. Ultimately, the Regional Administrative Court in Warsaw ruled in September 2020 that Morawiecki’s decision contravened legal frameworks and deemed it invalid, as detailed in court documentation.