The government's motion to bring the Central Bank Governor, Adam Glapiński, before the State Tribunal contains eight “very strong” allegations, according to Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski, as reported by TVP Info. Watch Agata Dura’s report for TVP World from the Sejm (Polish parliament) above.
The government has accused Glapiński of putting political loyalties before the interests of the Polish economy during the years of the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government, which was in office from 2015 till December last year.
In particular, the government has claimed he cut interest rates ahead of last October’s general election, despite inflation remaining high, in order to give PiS a boost in the polls.
On Tuesday, Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, said the motion was ready and would be filed with the court in the coming days. It could result in Poland’s top banker appearing in court in what could be one of the country’s most high-profile trials in recent years.
President defends Glapiński
On Wednesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda called on the government to use “common sense” regarding the motion.
“I appeal for common sense, because Poland’s financial stability and the stability of Poland’s position on international financial markets are of absolutely paramount importance,” he said at a press conference in Ljubljana.
In particular, the government has claimed he cut interest rates ahead of last October’s general election, despite inflation remaining high, in order to give PiS a boost in the polls.
On Tuesday, Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, said the motion was ready and would be filed with the court in the coming days. It could result in Poland’s top banker appearing in court in what could be one of the country’s most high-profile trials in recent years.
President defends Glapiński
On Wednesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda called on the government to use “common sense” regarding the motion.
“I appeal for common sense, because Poland’s financial stability and the stability of Poland’s position on international financial markets are of absolutely paramount importance,” he said at a press conference in Ljubljana.
According to Duda, inflation in Poland has been “suppressed to a great extent... thanks to the wise, reasonable policy implemented by... Glapiński and the Monetary Policy Council [MPC - the bank's rate-setting body].”
Harsh critique
By contrast, on Thursday, Gawkowski told public broadcaster TVP Info that he had read all 68 pages of the motion but did not want to disclose any details before an official announcement by Prime Minister Tusk.
“All I can say is that the first part contains eight allegations and that they are very strong... and refer to specific laws,” he said.
“These are allegations of non-compliance with and non-consultation on the state’s monetary policy... of acting without appropriate authorization from the NBP [central bank] management board... not only accusations of not being apolitical.”
“Second, Glapiński was and is the greatest vermin of the Polish economy in the last 30 years,” Gawkowski added, arguing that Glapiński said things that were “heresy in the economy and state finances,” like persuading citizens to take out loans when the risk of inflation and interest rates was increasing.
“At the same time, he said that inflation in Poland would not increase in the short term,” Gawkowski explained.
As head of the Civic Coalition (KO) caucus, Zbigniew Konwiński, told the Polish Press Agency (PAP), the motion will be filed by Easter.
Harsh critique
By contrast, on Thursday, Gawkowski told public broadcaster TVP Info that he had read all 68 pages of the motion but did not want to disclose any details before an official announcement by Prime Minister Tusk.
“All I can say is that the first part contains eight allegations and that they are very strong... and refer to specific laws,” he said.
“These are allegations of non-compliance with and non-consultation on the state’s monetary policy... of acting without appropriate authorization from the NBP [central bank] management board... not only accusations of not being apolitical.”
“Second, Glapiński was and is the greatest vermin of the Polish economy in the last 30 years,” Gawkowski added, arguing that Glapiński said things that were “heresy in the economy and state finances,” like persuading citizens to take out loans when the risk of inflation and interest rates was increasing.
“At the same time, he said that inflation in Poland would not increase in the short term,” Gawkowski explained.
As head of the Civic Coalition (KO) caucus, Zbigniew Konwiński, told the Polish Press Agency (PAP), the motion will be filed by Easter.
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