During the rule of the Law and Justice party (PiS), the main organizer of protests against the judiciary reform—and currently the entity behind an online hate campaign targeting Karol Nawrocki—namely Akcja Demokracja (Action Democracy), was for several years funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF). This occurred at a time when the chairman of the ECF’s supervisory board was a former German Deputy Minister of Finance who facilitated financial arrangements for Russia to construct the Nord Stream pipeline. While Akcja Demokracja was receiving hundreds of thousands of PLN from the ECF to support anti-government protests, this individual also held the position of vice-president at Deutsche Bank.
As reported by Wirtualna Polska today, the individuals behind online political advertisements promoting Rafał Trzaskowski and attacking his rivals are staff and volunteers of the Akcja Demokracja foundation. Over PLN 400,000 was spent on these ads, with the source of the funds remaining unknown. Jakub Kocjan—the head of Akcja Demokracja—was until recently an assistant to a Civic Coalition (KO) MP and, in 2020, received an award from the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski.
This hate-driven advertising campaign is also the subject of a recent issue of Gazeta Polska. The weekly revealed that websites connected to this illegal campaign were registered by the German company 1API GmbH, which previously drew attention for registering pro-Russian websites used for disinformation. Gazeta Polska also identified individuals appearing in the campaign’s attack ads.
Under the PiS government, Akcja Demokracja played a leading role in organizing protests against the authorities, particularly in opposition to judicial reforms. The group also launched a campaign titled “Remove Michał Rachoń,” demanding the removal of the journalist from hosting the “Minęła 20” program on TVP Info.
Foreign Funding
As Gazeta Polska was the first to reveal, Akcja Demokracja was funded during PiS rule by the European Climate Foundation. At the time, Caio Koch-Weser served as chairman of ECF’s supervisory board. Between 1999 and 2005, he was Deputy Minister of Finance in Gerhard Schröder’s government. Koch-Weser signed a German state guarantee for a Deutsche Bank loan to Gazprom, funds intended for the construction of the Nord Stream pipeline—a project viewed as threatening Poland’s energy security and interests. This guarantee was signed just four days before the change of government in Germany, sparking significant controversy—especially since Chancellor Schröder soon accepted a lucrative position with a Russian company, and Koch-Weser moved into an executive role at Deutsche Bank. At the time Akcja Demokracja received substantial funding from the ECF, Koch-Weser was also serving as DB’s vice-president.
During PiS rule, Akcja Demokracja also received tens of thousands of euros from other German organizations. For example, in just the first few months of 2017, the German foundation Campact transferred nearly €35,000 to Akcja Demokracja’s account. Who is behind Campact? Campact is a member of the international network OPEN, led by the American organization MoveOn (whose founder and executive director is Ben Brandzel). MoveOn was involved in organizing violent protests in the United States following Donald Trump’s first election as president. Among MoveOn’s main sponsors is George Soros, the billionaire and financial speculator known for funding ideologically driven initiatives aimed at national governments defending traditional values.
An even larger sum was given at that time to Akcja Demokracja by another Berlin-based foundation, WeMove—amounting to €45,000. The WeMove team includes figures such as Marlena Löhr, a well-known politician from Germany’s Green Party (she chaired the party’s structures in Schleswig-Holstein between 2009 and 2013). A closer look at WeMove’s funding sources reveals a notable surprise: its main donor is none other than Campact—the same foundation that also supports Akcja Demokracja and belongs to the MoveOn-led network funded by George Soros.
Selected Actions Carried Out by Akcja Demokracja During the PiS Government:
“Chain of Light”
A high-profile protest staged in 240 towns and cities. The foundation called for resistance against judiciary reforms. Niezalezna.pl revealed that Akcja Demokracja was involved in financing candles for protesters, renting sound equipment, online campaigns, and transportation for hundreds of participants.
Billboards about the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS)
In March, billboards funded by Akcja Demokracja appeared in Warsaw displaying quotes from Jarosław and Lech Kaczyński on the National Council of the Judiciary, aiming to highlight differences in their perspectives. The billboards were placed near the Ministry of Justice and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Welcoming Refugees
Akcja Demokracja issued an appeal in alignment with the Brussels and Berlin agenda titled “Let’s Choose Solidarity Over Fear,” which stated: “We oppose the repugnant incitement against victims of war and other crises being pushed on us today by the Polish authorities. We stand on the side of European solidarity.”
In Defense of a Nowoczesna Politician’s Theater
A campaign targeting the new director of the Polish Theatre in Wrocław, actor Cezary Przybylski, accusing him of a “blatant lack of competence.” His predecessor, Krzysztof Mieszkowski, was a Nowoczesna politician known for planning a play featuring porn actors.
“Marshal Kuchciński, You Won’t Escape Punishment!”
This campaign involved submitting a complaint to the prosecutor’s office against the Speaker of the Sejm. Akcja Demokracja stated in its letter: “On the night of December 16–17, the most important act—the national budget—was passed outside the main chamber and in violation of parliamentary rules. Polish democracy has never seen anything like this.”