In a significant political development, the European Parliament has voted to strip immunity from two Polish Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Daniel Obajtek and Michał Dworczyk, both prominent figures in Poland’s national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party. This move clears the way for prosecutors in Poland to pursue criminal charges against them related to allegations of abuse of power and misuse of resources during their tenure in government roles.
The decision marks a milestone for Poland’s current centrist government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who took office in 2023 with a mandate to hold accountable PiS officials accused of corruption and unlawful conduct during their eight years in power from 2015 to 2023. It underscores the ongoing tensions between the former ruling party and the present coalition, intensifying a legal and political confrontation reverberating both in Warsaw and Brussels.
Allegations Against Obajtek and Dworczyk
Daniel Obajtek, known as the former CEO of Poland’s leading state energy company ORLEN, faces accusations involving the improper use of company funds to finance private detective services that allegedly served personal agendas. Prosecutors contend that these contracts were arranged in ways that abused the company’s resources for Obajtek’s private interests, raising serious questions about corporate governance and misuse of public enterprise assets.
Michal Dworczyk is accused of using a personal email account for official state matters during his time as head of the Prime Minister’s Office under Mateusz Morawiecki between 2017 and 2022. Some of these private emails reportedly contained classified information that was leaked by hackers starting in 2021, a scandal that culminated in his resignation a year later. Prosecutors argue that this conduct breached protocols governing the handling of sensitive state information.
Both politicians could face prison sentences of up to five years if found guilty in Polish courts. These cases are emblematic of broader efforts by the current administration to pursue judicial accountability for what it frames as abuses by the previous government.
Contentious Vote and Political Reactions
The European Parliament’s vote to lift the immunity of Obajtek and Dworczyk occurred on Tuesday via a show-of-hands procedure, reflecting a strong consensus among MEPs across political groups. The move is consistent with earlier actions taken this year when the Parliament similarly stripped immunity from other high-profile PiS figures, such as former interior minister Mariusz Kamiński and his deputy Maciej Wąsik, who also faced prosecution for alleged abuses of power.
Following the vote, both Obajtek and Dworczyk strongly denounced the decision, portraying it as politically motivated. Obajtek tweeted on the social media platform X, “Thus, the European Parliament – which proclaims its commitment to defending democratic values, human rights, and freedoms – facilitates Tusk’s team in executing further political repression against me.” Dworczyk echoed this sentiment, accusing the current Polish government of “political repression” aimed at silencing opposition voices.
These statements reflect the heightened polarization in Polish politics, with the PiS party and its supporters decrying what they term politically driven witch hunts, while the government and its allies emphasize the necessity of judicial checks to combat corruption and impunity.
Legal and Political Context in Poland
The lifting of parliamentary immunity is a crucial step enabling Polish prosecutors to pursue criminal investigations and potential trials without obstruction. Since the transition of power to Donald Tusk’s coalition, legal actions against former PiS officials have accelerated, including parliamentary decisions stripping multiple politicians of immunity domestically.
These developments arise amid Poland’s efforts to reform its judiciary, which remain contentious within the EU. The PiS government previously implemented changes that critics argue undermined judicial independence, complicating prosecutorial powers under Tusk’s administration. Despite these challenges, Tusk’s government has prioritized accountability as a central pillar of its mandate.
The immunity removal of Obajtek and Dworczyk also comes in the wake of repeated accusations that the Law and Justice party manipulated state institutions during their tenure for partisan advantage, distorting governance and public resources.
Implications for EU-Poland Relations and Democratic Norms
The European Parliament’s decision to lift immunity points to the broader role of the EU in safeguarding rule of law standards among member states. However, it also highlights the delicate balance between respecting national sovereignty and supporting judicial accountability within the bloc.
Poland’s internal political disputes have often spilled into EU institutions, with prolonged debates over judicial reforms, media freedom, and democratic backsliding. This latest move by the Parliament underscores the pressure on Poland to address rule of law concerns to maintain trust and cohesion within the EU framework.
Critics from the PiS camp argue that these proceedings, supported by European institutions, represent an overreach and politically motivated persecution, further fueling the narrative of external interference in Poland’s domestic affairs.
The Road Ahead: Legal Proceedings and Political Fallout
With immunity lifted, Daniel Obajtek and Michal Dworczyk now face criminal investigations in Poland that may lead to trials and possible convictions. The outcomes of these cases carry significant weight, not only for the individuals involved but also for Poland’s political landscape and governance standards.
Observers anticipate intense legal battles intertwined with political maneuvering, likely influencing upcoming elections and the broader contest between pro-European centrists and nationalist conservatives. How these proceedings unfold will also serve as an indicator of Poland’s commitment to democratic reforms and the rule of law under Tusk’s leadership.
The stripping of immunity from key opposition figures is emblematic of ongoing efforts to confront alleged abuses from previous administrations but simultaneously risks deepening political divides in a country already marked by sharp domestic polarization.
A Defining Moment in Polish Political Accountability
The European Parliament’s vote to remove immunity from two prominent Polish opposition MEPs reinforces a pivotal chapter in Poland’s journey toward accountability and justice. It reflects the complex interplay between political rivalry, judicial reform, and European oversight.
As Daniel Obajtek and Michal Dworczyk prepare to face the potential consequences of criminal prosecution, their cases symbolize broader questions about governance, corruption, and democracy in Poland. The unfolding legal processes will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, offering crucial insights into the state of the country’s political and judicial systems.
The situation also exemplifies the challenges faced by the European Union in balancing respect for member state sovereignty with the enforcement of democratic and rule of law principles — a challenge that will continue to shape the EU’s relationship with Poland for years to come.
