The State Electoral Commission (PKW) has announced that Law and Justice (PiS) will receive a budget subsidy of 15 million PLN in 2025, a significant reduction from the 26 million PLN it was entitled to. This decision comes amid ongoing disputes over the party's financial reporting and spending practices.
During a recent PKW meeting, a vote on whether to grant the full amount resulted in a tie of 4 votes for and 4 against. Consequently, the proposal to reduce the subsidy by 11 million PLN to 15 million PLN received majority support, with 4 votes in favor and 3 against. PKW Chairman Sylwester Marciniak abstained from voting, and one member, Ryszard Kalisz, was absent.
The budget subsidy for political parties is a fixed annual funding provided by the state, dependent on the number of votes a party receives in parliamentary elections. This funding aims to reduce parties' reliance on private donors and enhance transparency in political financing. However, the release of these funds is contingent upon a positive assessment of the party's financial report by PKW.
In August 2023, PKW rejected PiS's financial report from the 2023 parliamentary elections, citing irregularities in the use of 3.6 million PLN in campaign funds. PiS subsequently appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. The Extraordinary Control and Public Affairs Chamber of the Supreme Court, despite facing scrutiny regarding its legitimacy, sided with PiS and overturned PKW's earlier ruling. As a result, on December 30, 2023, PKW formally accepted PiS's financial report but noted that it did not determine the legal validity of the Supreme Court's decision.
This complex situation has led to a prolonged exchange of positions between PKW and the Minister of Finance, who sought a clear opinion on the justification for disbursing the subsidy. The latest decision by PKW effectively closes this administrative dispute, allowing PiS to receive part of the funds it is entitled to.
According to PKW, the subsidy for 2025 for PiS is approximately 15 million PLN, while the Confederation party is set to receive around 8 million PLN. This reduction for PiS is part of a broader context where funding amounts are adjusted based on compliance with financial regulations.
On the same day, PKW decided to send a letter to the Minister of Finance, Andrzej Domański, detailing the reduced subsidy for PiS. The letter also noted that the Confederation's subsidy for 2025 would be adjusted downward by three times the amount of funds obtained by the party's election committee in the 2024 European Parliament elections, which totals over 87 thousand PLN.
During the April 23, 2025 meeting, PKW members could not reach an agreement on whether the subsidy for PiS should reflect the pre-election estimate of approximately 25.9 million PLN or the reduced amount following the rejection of its financial report in August 2024. This disagreement underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the financial accountability of political parties.
In March 2025, PKW also rejected the financial report of the Confederation committee from the 2024 European Parliament elections, citing late submission as a key issue. This decision further complicates the funding landscape for political parties in Poland, as compliance with financial reporting is crucial for receiving state subsidies.
The PKW's recent decisions highlight the intricate relationship between political financing and regulatory compliance in Poland. As parties navigate these challenges, the implications for their operational budgets and campaign strategies are significant.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the handling of subsidies and financial reports will remain a focal point of contention, impacting not only the parties involved but also the broader democratic process in Poland.
