Poland's electoral commission deals a hard blow to the former ruling right-wing party Law and Justice (PIS). The commission rejects the party's explanation of how state party subsidies were used.
The decision from the electoral commission, announced by its chairman Sylwester Marciniak on Thursday, means that the economic support will be significantly reduced to the party and that it will be liable for repayment.
Law and Justice lost power in Poland's October election, and the politically polarized country has seen continued clashes between PIS and the ruling government with Donald Tusk as prime minister. The tensions are reinforced by the fact that the presidential post in Poland is held by Andrzej Duda, who belongs to PIS.
The decision from the electoral commission is also a future economic problem for the party that held power from 2015 to 2023. According to the decision, the party received 3.6 million zloty, equivalent to approximately 9 million kronor, which was not used correctly and must therefore be repaid. Future financial support is also being questioned.
