The proposal to lift the parliamentary immunity of Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) has been submitted to the Sejm. The request centers on an incident involving the removal of a wreath commemorating the deceased former President Lech Kaczyński, Jarosław’s brother, which was deemed defamatory by supporters.
The police valued the wreath at 400 PLN, though the complainant claimed it was worth twice that amount—a pivotal factor that could elevate the case to criminal status. This incident has escalated into a significant political debate, with PiS officials condemning the actions against their leader as reminiscent of what they describe as “Belarusian standards and cruelty.”
Mariusz Błaszczak, head of the PiS parliamentary club, vehemently criticized the government’s response, stating, “Disgusting provocations aimed at Jarosław Kaczyński and all those who lost loved ones in the Smolensk air disaster are glorified by those in power, and attempts to combat these provocations are punished.”
The situation has sparked a broader reflection on the state of political discourse in Poland. Michał Dworczyk, another PiS politician, cryptically remarked on social media, “When there is no bread, circuses are needed,” suggesting a diversion from more pressing national issues.
Jacek Sasin, defending Kaczyński’s actions, drew a sharp analogy, likening the placement of the wreath to an act of defamation at a memorial. He argues that in such a context, removing the wreath was not only justified but commendable.
The debate extends to broader accusations of political manipulation, with MEP Patryk Jaki accusing the current administration of selective justice, contrasting the inaction against Senate Marshal Tomasz Grodzki, accused by many of corruption, with the aggressive stance taken against Kaczyński.
This unfolding controversy is not isolated but part of ongoing tensions surrounding the memory of the 2010 Smolensk air disaster, which claimed the life of President Lech Kaczyński among others. PiS officials like Rafał Bochenek assert that disruptions of memorials for the victims align with Russian efforts to perpetuate negative emotions around the tragedy, distracting from the alleged real perpetrators.