Jarosław Kaczyński penalized by Sejm Ethics Committee

The Sejm Ethics Committee has penalized Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the Law and Justice (PiS) party, following controversial remarks made regarding the Polish police.

The disciplinary action stems from comments Kaczyński made in July during a commemoration of the Smoleńsk air disaster at Piłsudski Square in Warsaw. During the event, Kaczyński accused police officers of failing to intervene against protesters who were allegedly insulting and threatening PiS politicians. He characterized the police force at the time as ‘bojówkami rządzącej partii’ (thugs of the ruling party) rather than law enforcement.

Following the remarks, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński described the behavior as ‘skandaliczne’ (scandalous) and a disgrace to the uniform. The Ethics Committee's decision follows a motion submitted by Maria Janyska, chair of the parliamentary committee on administration and internal affairs. Under parliamentary regulations, the committee has the authority to issue a warning, a reprimand, or a formal censure.