Polish Opposition Party Faces Financial Crisis Amid State Fund Misuse Allegations

Poland's nationalist opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), faces severe financial strain after the electoral commission determined it had misused state funds in the 2023 general election campaign. Lawmakers are now pledging part of their salaries to support the party, while PiS leaders call the penalties scandalous and seek public support to counter their pro-European rivals.

Lawmakers from Poland's nationalist opposition party Law and Justice (PiS) are committing part of their salaries to the party after state funds misuse left it financially strained, said its deputy head on Friday. The electoral commission ruled on Thursday to cut tens of millions of zlotys from PiS's funding, citing illegal use of state money in its 2023 general election campaign.

Deputy head Mariusz Blaszczak announced that lawmakers in both the Polish and European Parliaments would contribute part of their salaries to the party's funds. "PiS lawmakers will begin financial support through donations starting in September," Blaszczak stated at a press conference. "MPs and Senators will donate a minimum of 1,000 zlotys ($260) monthly, and MEPs a minimum of 5,000 zlotys."

PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski condemned the commission's decision as "scandalous" and appealed to "Polish patriots" for financial support to thwart Donald Tusk's pro-European Civic Coalition (KO) in the upcoming presidential election. The commission asserts that PiS unlawfully spent 3.6 million zlotys ($931,000) on the 2023 campaign, resulting in a 10 million zlotys ($2.6 million) funding cut for this year and possibly, total loss of annual funding. Jan Grabiec, head of Tusk's office, dismissed PiS's complaints, implying they brought it on themselves.

(With inputs from agencies.)