“The problem with the entire National Recovery Plan (KPO), not only with the percentage of funds spent on the hotel and restaurant sector, was that Poland – due to PiS’s blockade – might not have managed to spend the funds in time” – this is how, once again, Donald Tusk explains the KPO scandal. In other words, the usual line – it’s all “PiS’s fault”.
Donald Tusk once again addressed the growing KPO scandal. As before, on every possible occasion, he did not apologize but merely placed the blame on Law and Justice (PiS). This time, however, he did so in the form of a post on social media.
Today, however, he raised the issue during a press conference – and shared a rather interesting theory, while once again launching an attack on the United Right government.
Tusk: “we had to make sure to spend it in time”
As a reminder, the KPO scandal revealed what the funds from the National Recovery Plan were actually spent on. Money that was theoretically meant to revive the hotel and restaurant sector was used for rather absurd purposes. A tanning bed in a pizzeria, yachts, accommodation in “kebab shops”, or expensive cars – just a few examples.
Yet, according to Donald Tusk’s narrative: “We also inherited a very serious problem – namely a two-year delay. Unlike other European countries, my government had to not only unblock these funds but also stand – quite literally – on its head to make sure we spent them in time. The problem with the entire KPO, not only with the percentage of funds spent on the hotel and restaurant sector, was that Poland – due to PiS’s blockade – might not have managed to spend these funds” – he thundered during the press conference.
Except here, it is worth recalling that it was Tusk’s own team, while in opposition, that did everything possible to ensure Poland did not receive the money on time. Brussels at the time justified it with “a lack of rule of law in Poland”.
“Therefore, we looked for various ways to ensure that as quickly as possible, as much money as possible would reach Polish beneficiaries – because otherwise, these funds would be lost. 100% of the responsibility for this years-long mess lies with our predecessors, who blocked it, and thus gave us very little time to spend these funds properly – and to make sure the funds reached Polish companies” – Tusk continued.
So what was done? Tusk also spoke about this, once again “throwing under the bus” his Minister of Funds and Regional Development, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.
“To make sure we could spend these funds in time, the Ministry of Funds and Regional Development decided to loosen procedures – so that the money could reach people. Some took advantage of this, taking money… For now, we’re not talking about corruption or theft of these funds, but rather – I would say – careless spending on things that rightly make people at least wonder, if not get angry. We will investigate each case. Moreover, in cases where abuse is obvious – those contracts are being annulled” – he admitted.