Polish Deputy Minister Ireneusz Raś Faces Conflict-of-Interest Claims Over Short-Term Rental Law

Ireneusz Raś, Poland's deputy minister of sport and tourism, is responsible for a draft law regulating the short‑term rental market. Prior to joining the government, he and his former wife owned three micro‑apartments in a Łódź building that operates as an aparthotel. Two of the units were sold to his brother, the priest Dariusz Rasi, while the third remained under his ownership. Raś earned rental income of about 21,600 zł in the year before his term and 16,200 zł in 2023, which he says came from long‑term leases. He asserts no conflict of interest, noting he did not inform the prime minister or the sport minister about the investment. Critics argue the situation undermines transparency, as the minister overseeing the regulation previously profited from the same market and his family continues to hold property in the sector. The draft law also removes municipal “short‑term rental free zones,” a tool previously defended for public safety and order concerns.