An attempt is underway to discredit the investigation into the alleged coup d’état supposedly carried out by top government officials. On Friday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk once again stepped in. He claimed that Prosecutor Michał Ostrowski’s actions are being promoted, among others, by Russia and Belarus, and that only media outlets in those countries are reporting on the case. We checked the facts.
Investigation into an alleged coup d’état
On Wednesday, President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, informed that Deputy Prosecutor General Michał Ostrowski had launched an investigation—upon Święczkowski’s own notification—into the suspicion of a coup d’état. The notification concerns the Speakers of the Sejm and the Senate, the head of the Government Legislation Center (RCL), certain judges and prosecutors, various ministers, and even Prime Minister Donald Tusk himself.
Attempts to discredit the investigation were already visible yesterday during a press conference held by the spokesperson for the Prosecutor General. Media outlets aligned with the government also took part in these efforts. Yesterday, the program “Czarno na białym” aired a report on the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, and Gazeta Wyborcza had previously scrutinized his financial disclosures. Meanwhile, on Onet, Prosecutor Parchimowicz (founder of Le Super Omnia) claimed that Ostrowski faces at least disciplinary liability.
TVP joins the fray
On Friday, the so-called “illegal TVP” got involved. A text titled “Russia picks up on the ‘coup d’état.’ It plays into Kremlin propaganda” was published on the television station’s website. Prime Minister Tusk quickly circulated the information provided by the government broadcaster.
“A ‘coup d’état’ in Poland is making headlines only in Russia, Belarus, and Hungary. Smooth coordination. A grotesque action, yet dangerous in its own way,”
Tusk wrote on x.com.
Let us verify this claim.
Coup d’état? Plenty of buzz
It turns out that, contrary to what the head of the Polish government and his television station suggest, the alarming situation in Poland has not escaped the attention of foreign media—and not just in the countries Tusk mentioned.
Major and smaller European portals (and others beyond Europe) are commenting on the coup d’état investigation. For instance:
- Brussels Signal (Belgium) reports: “Poland’s constitutional court chief accuses PM Tusk of staging ‘coup d’état’“
- Radio Free Europe (U.S.) states: “Polish Prosecutors Investigate PM Tusk For Alleged Coup Attempt“
- Euractiv (France) notes: “Polish Prosecutors launch coup probe targeting Tusk“
- The Pinnacle Gazette (U.S., Texas-based organization) writes: “Polish Tribunal Chief Accuses Tusk Of Coup Attempt”
- Berliner Zeitung (Germany) headlines: “„Kriminelle Gruppe“: Gegen Polens Regierung wird wegen Verdachts eines Staatsstreichs ermittel”
Most of these publications appeared today. So it seems that if the Prime Minister wants to read about the investigation concerning him in foreign media, he just has to wait.