Artur Łącki, a Member of Parliament from Poland’s Civic Coalition (Koalicja Obywatelska, KO), has sparked controversy with a social media post that seemingly confirmed significant financial support from the state-owned company Orlen to the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP), led by Jerzy Owsiak.
In his post on Saturday, following a KO convention in Gliwice, Łącki mentioned a quick coffee stop at an Orlen station, casually stating, “Remember, every coffee bought at the station means 1 zł for WOŚP.” This statement not only corroborated earlier investigative reporting but also fueled a wave of public debate.
According to Piotr Nisztor, a journalist from Gazeta Polska, Orlen signed a sponsorship deal in late November to fund the next three WOŚP finales, with an unofficial estimated value of 3.9 million zł. Additionally, starting January 2025, Orlen plans to donate at least 1 zł from every coffee sold to WOŚP.
While these claims had been circulating as unconfirmed media reports, neither WOŚP, Orlen, nor government representatives had previously verified them. However, Łącki’s statement gave credence to the allegations, especially as it was later shared by KO, the party led by former Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Critics argue that the sponsorship deal could be a form of political repayment to Owsiak, who openly supported KO during Poland’s recent election campaign. Others pointed to the substantial sums potentially involved, given Orlen’s nationwide popularity.
The revelation has sparked heated discussions online, with many questioning the close financial and political connections between the government, Orlen, and the charity. For now, the full scope of Orlen’s contributions to WOŚP remains a subject of speculation.