Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, has called for a deputy foreign minister to go on leave amid a scandal involving alcohol abuse, claims of assault and allegations of fiddling mileage expenses.
The case underlines growing concern about a drinking culture among Polish politicians.
“I am not here to judge the validity of these concerns,” Tusk said on Tuesday. “But given the seriousness of the accusations, I ask for the deputy minister to be placed on leave and for the matter to be urgently clarified.”
The minister in question, Andrzej Szejna, is a senior figure in the New Left party, which is a junior partner in Poland’s coalition government.
Prosecutors are investigating suspicions that between 2019 and 2023 he cheated by falsely claiming 122,000 złoty (€29,300) in travel expenses.
While Szejna insists that all his claims were legitimate, critics say that Polish MPs are not required to provide documentation for mileage reimbursement, raising concerns about transparency.
Meanwhile, Beata Maciejewska, a former New Left MP, has accused Szejna of assaulting a woman connected to the party.
“I am not here to judge the validity of these concerns,” Tusk said on Tuesday. “But given the seriousness of the accusations, I ask for the deputy minister to be placed on leave and for the matter to be urgently clarified.”
The minister in question, Andrzej Szejna, is a senior figure in the New Left party, which is a junior partner in Poland’s coalition government.
Prosecutors are investigating suspicions that between 2019 and 2023 he cheated by falsely claiming 122,000 złoty (€29,300) in travel expenses.
While Szejna insists that all his claims were legitimate, critics say that Polish MPs are not required to provide documentation for mileage reimbursement, raising concerns about transparency.
Meanwhile, Beata Maciejewska, a former New Left MP, has accused Szejna of assaulting a woman connected to the party.
Szejna has denied wrongdoing and announced that he is ready to take legal action against Maciejewska for “false accusations and defamation”.
However, Szejna admitted that he struggled with alcohol in the past. He added that he had sought treatment.
“I have faced the problem of alcohol abuse,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. “With the support of my family, friends, and therapists, I have regained control over my health. I sincerely apologize to anyone affected.”
Szejna’s drinking was apparently common knowledge among his colleagues. Some lawmakers from the New Left reportedly used breathalyzers before party meetings to ensure those attending were sober.
Szejna’s case is not an isolated incident, highlighting a broader issue of alcohol-related antics in Polish politics.
In February, Ryszard Wilk, an MP from the far-right opposition Confederation party, was escorted from parliament after appearing intoxicated. He later apologized and admitted he had a drinking problem.
Szymon Hołownia, the Speaker of the Polish parliament, has proposed breathalyzer tests for MPs before sessions.
However, Szejna admitted that he struggled with alcohol in the past. He added that he had sought treatment.
“I have faced the problem of alcohol abuse,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. “With the support of my family, friends, and therapists, I have regained control over my health. I sincerely apologize to anyone affected.”
Szejna’s drinking was apparently common knowledge among his colleagues. Some lawmakers from the New Left reportedly used breathalyzers before party meetings to ensure those attending were sober.
Szejna’s case is not an isolated incident, highlighting a broader issue of alcohol-related antics in Polish politics.
In February, Ryszard Wilk, an MP from the far-right opposition Confederation party, was escorted from parliament after appearing intoxicated. He later apologized and admitted he had a drinking problem.
Szymon Hołownia, the Speaker of the Polish parliament, has proposed breathalyzer tests for MPs before sessions.
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