Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that, regarding the spending of funds from the KPO, he “rules out insinuations of breaking the law, corruption, or violating procedures,” because in his view, “there are no such cases.” He also said that “what causes such distaste, irritation, and anger is a foolish system that was really designed by our predecessors.”
The KPO scandal
For several days now, more and more information has been emerging about businesses in the hotel trade and catering sector (HoReCa) that were approved to receive KPO funds. Some of the applications have sparked controversy; owners applied, among other things, for subsidies to purchase yachts, holiday cottages, or tanning beds.
After changes introduced in the ministry headed by Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, it also turned out that these funds could be applied for and were granted to companies outside the HoReCa sector, whose main activities included, for example, loans, financial services, or transport.
Following the scandal, questions arose about whether Pełczyńska-Nałęcz would be removed from her post. According to findings by the Niezależna.pl portal, her dismissal is “conditionally suspended.”
Corruption and breaches of procedure in the KPO? Tusk: “There are no such cases”
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, when asked about the KPO scandal, said that in his view, “the matter is indeed complicated,” but stressed that “the problem is that, at this stage, I can say with a clear conscience that I rule out any groundless insinuations about breaking the law, corruption, or violating procedures, there are no such cases.” He then once again suggested that the blame for the scandal lies with Law and Justice (PiS), pointing to what he called “a foolish system” for filing applications.
“And we are conducting inspections at PARP, and the prosecutor’s office is also dealing with these matters. What causes such distaste, irritation, and anger is a foolish system, really designed by our predecessors. In many cases, this has been going on for over a dozen years. That is, abuses and certain cunning schemes to use European funds contrary to their actual purposes. If I say that I was only moderately convinced by the minister’s arguments, it is because I urgently need an unambiguous answer about what has not been done or what needs to be done immediately to prevent European funds from being so easily accessible to those who scheme,”
Tusk added.
Tusk on Pełczyńska-Nałęcz: “I still have a bit of patience”
When asked whether he was satisfied with the actions and explanations of Minister Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, he replied: “Moderately.” He also said that he still had “a bit of patience” with her.
“My expectations regarding the minister’s actions and statements are higher than what I have heard so far, but I still have a bit of patience,”
Tusk added.