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New Commission Examines Russian Influence on Poland’s Internal Security
The Polish Sejm, on Wednesday, appointed a 9-member committee to investigate Russian influence on the country’s internal security from 2007 to 2022. All candidates were proposed by the Law and Justice Party (PiS), while the opposition abstained from suggesting candidates and voting. The Konfederacja party voted against the appointments.
Each of the 9 candidates, including prominent figures like Sławomir Cenckiewicz and Prof. Andrzej Zybertowicz, received support from the Law and Justice Party (PiS) and affiliated groups. Other major opposition parties did not participate in the voting, and the Konfederacja party voted in opposition.
Initiated by the Law and Justice Party (PiS), the committee’s formation was met with criticism from opposition lawmakers. Positive remarks came from Zbigniew Girzyński of Polskie Sprawy.
The new law, effective May 31, establishes the committee to study Russian impacts on national security. Notably, the law bars parliamentarians from serving on the committee and eliminates certain provisions. The committee’s decisions can be appealed at the Court of Appeals in Warsaw.
Consisting of 9 members, the committee’s composition will be overseen by the Sejm, allowing each parliamentary group to propose candidates.