Warsaw, Poland – In a dramatic escalation of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's campaign to dismantle the legacy of the ousted Law and Justice (PiS) government, Poland's National Prosecutor's Office on Thursday formally notified Sejm Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty that criminal charges have been filed against former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and two key ex-ministers: Mariusz Błaszczak, once Defense Minister, and Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski, former Agriculture Minister. The notification, signed by Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek, explicitly flags the allegations as potential constitutional violations, thrusting the trio toward possible impeachment proceedings before the State Tribunal – Poland's highest court for high-level political offenses.
This move caps a year-long "reckoning" (rozliczenie) by Tusk's centrist coalition, which swept to power in October 2023 after eight years of PiS dominance marked by judicial overhauls, media control, and pandemic-era controversies. Since assuming office, Tusk's administration has launched over 100 probes into PiS-era decisions, from alleged corruption in state firms to the misuse of EU recovery funds. Prosecutors under Justice Minister Adam Bodnar – who doubles as Attorney General – have already secured convictions in minor cases, but targeting heavyweights like Morawiecki signals a bolder phase. "These are not vendettas; they are restorations of accountability," Bodnar declared in a recent interview, vowing to "cleanse the rot" from public institutions.
The charges stem from distinct but emblematic scandals, each highlighting accusations of power abuse under PiS rule. Morawiecki, now PiS deputy chairman and a vocal Tusk critic, faces the gravest scrutiny over the infamous 2020 "postal election" fiasco. Amid the COVID-19 lockdown, with over 14,000 cases and 698 deaths by early May, PiS pushed to hold the May 10 presidential vote entirely by mail to reelect ally Andrzej Duda without risking mass gatherings. On April 16, 2020, Morawiecki issued two administrative orders directing state-owned Poczta Polska (Polish Post) and Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW) to prepare ballots and logistics for 30 million voters – before any enabling legislation passed parliament.
Prosecutors from Warsaw's District Prosecutor's Office allege this breached Article 231 of the Penal Code (abuse of power) and data protection laws, as it involved unlawfully sharing PESEL numbers and addresses of all adult Poles without GDPR compliance. The scheme collapsed amid intra-coalition rifts and Senate opposition, reverting to in-person voting on June 28 (Duda won 51.03% in the runoff). But the damage was done: Poczta Polska racked up 53 million zloty ($14.5 million) in losses for printing and distribution prep, while PWPW lost 3.5 million zloty ($963,000) on ballots. A 2021 Supreme Audit Office (NIK) report slammed the effort as "chaotic" and lacking legal basis, notifying prosecutors of crimes by company boards. In February 2025, after waiving immunity, Morawiecki was formally charged; he pleaded not guilty, refused to testify initially, and defended the moves as "essential for democratic continuity" during a crisis. On X, he quipped Thursday from a U.S. trip: "From America: Two messages for Donald T. – truth prevails, and accountability cuts both ways."
Błaszczak's indictment centers on national security risks from declassifying parts of the "WARTA-00101" plan – a top-secret 2011 blueprint for defending against a Russian invasion. In July 2023, amid election campaigning, Błaszczak – then Defense Minister – ordered fragments declassified and publicized them on X in September, claiming they exposed a prior Civic Platform (PO) government under Tusk as planning to "surrender half the country" by defending only along the Vistula River line. Prosecutors charge violations of classified information laws (Articles 231 and 265 Penal Code), arguing the release – without Chief of General Staff approval – endangered troops and alliances. Immunity lifted in March 2025, Błaszczak was indicted in August; he maintains it was "transparency for voters" and vows to repeat it. "This is political persecution," he posted, echoing PiS rhetoric.
Ardanowski's case involves alleged mismanagement during 2018–2019 agricultural crises. Facing a poor apple harvest, he authorized E. Leśniak company to buy 500,000 tons of industrial apples and issued 100 million zloty ($23 million) in bank guarantees plus 20 million zloty ($4.6 million) in credits via the National Agricultural Support Centre – despite the firm's weak finances and lacking capacity. Prosecutors cite abuse of power and dereliction of duty, claiming it risked public funds to avert farm bankruptcies but violated economic prudence rules. Charged in March 2025 after immunity waiver, Ardanowski – now with the Free Republicans party – called it "constitutional duty to support producers" in an Euronews interview, dismissing it as "political theater."
With immunities already lifted by the Sejm, Żurek's letter paves the way for Tribunal referral. Under Article 198 of the Constitution, proceedings begin with a motion from at least 115 deputies; conviction requires a three-fifths Sejm majority (276 of 460 votes) with at least half present. Penalties could include office bans up to 10 years, plus criminal fines or jail. Tusk's coalition holds 248 seats, needing 28 opposition votes – a tall order amid polarization. PiS, with 194 seats, decries it as "lawfare" to neuter rivals before 2027 elections. "Weaponizing justice against opposition – Tusk's Stalinist playbook," tweeted ex-Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro. Supporters counter that PiS's 2015–2023 tenure eroded rule of law, citing EU fines over judicial reforms.
Reactions flooded X: Coalition MP Marcin Kierwiński called it "obvious – they treated law with contempt," garnering thousands of likes. PiS's Piotr Müller labeled it a "parody of justice." Morawiecki's U.S. video – mocking Tusk amid congressional visits – drew widespread attention but also accusations of fleeing accountability. Ardanowski quipped about "apple alcohol billions," tying to untraced funds.
Broader context: This fits Tusk's EU-aligned reset, unlocking 137 billion euros ($152 billion) in frozen funds by reversing PiS policies. Yet critics warn of "unlawful prosecutorial takeovers," citing Bodnar's 2024 ouster of PiS appointees as violations. Only two State Tribunal convictions exist historically – both minor PiS figures – underscoring the high bar.
As Sejm debates loom, Poland's political fault lines quake. Will the Tribunal become a reckoning tool or revenge theater? With PiS vowing counter-probes into Tusk's tenure (2007–2014), the melody of accountability risks descending into discord. For a nation scarred by authoritarian echoes, justice's tune hangs in the balance – harmonious or harshly off-key.
