Polish Right-Wing Party Penalized for Campaign Funding Violations

Poland's electoral authority announced that the Law and Justice party violated campaign funding rules in the 2023 parliamentary vote. The party has been fined millions, severely impacting its resources for the 2025 presidential election. Party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski views the decision as political revenge.

Poland's electoral authority has penalized the former ruling right-wing party for violating campaign funding rules during the 2023 parliamentary elections. The penalty could significantly impact its resources for future political battles, including the 2025 presidential election.

The State Electoral Commission announced that the Law and Justice party, which governed Poland from 2015-2023 and is now the primary opposition, improperly utilized 3.6 million zlotys (USD 930,000) in public funds. The commission has mandated that the party repay this amount and has also cut its government subsidies by approximately 10 million zlotys (USD 2.5 million) annually for the upcoming years.

Party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, speaking before the ruling, claimed that any adverse decision would be politically motivated, suggesting that it reflects the current government's vendetta against its predecessor. The Law and Justice party is anticipated to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, where it still retains some influence.

(With inputs from agencies.)