Poland's Former Prime Minister Faces Criminal Charges Over Minister Appointments

Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office has filed criminal charges against former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and two of his former ministers. The charges relate to their actions while in office. Prosecutors accuse the officials of violating the law in 2023. They allege that Morawiecki, along with former Culture Minister Piotr Gliński and former Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek, illegally appointed individuals to lead state cultural institutions. This process is meant to be independent. The case has now been sent to Poland’s State Tribunal. This is a special court that handles constitutional violations and other crimes by senior officials. The Tribunal will decide if the case proceeds to a full trial. If convicted, the officials could be banned from holding public office. The charges mark a significant legal escalation against members of the previous government, which lost power in late 2023. All three individuals have denied any wrongdoing.