The National Election Commission (NEC) has not yet decided to accept the accounts of Law and Justice (PiS). According to the media reports, despite the deficiency of a decision on the Law and Justice, a letter has already been sent to the Ministry of Finance with calculations on the reimbursement of election run costs to another political parties. However, these calculations do not include the club Jarosław Kaczyński, which is unprecedented and raises many questions.
The PiS study and its key importance
The PKW decision on the accounts of the Law and Justice Office is crucial for the further destiny of the party. By the end of August, the Commission has time to make a final decision, which may prejudge the failure of millions of zlotys by the Law and Justice Office. Let us remind you that the financial study is 1 of the most crucial papers on the basis of which the political organization can get reimbursement of the costs incurred in the election campaign.
Calculations for another lots
According to the findings of the Money.pl portal, the Ministry of Finance received on 8 August a preliminary paper with calculations concerning the reimbursement of the costs of the election run for all parties outside the Law and Justice. According to the information of the portal, the Civic Coalition (KO) is the most to receive – about PLN 32.8 million, of which PLN 32 million will go to the Civic Platform itself (PO). Despite the advanced amount, it is PLN 2.6 million little than the actual costs of the KO campaign. Similarly, another parties will receive reimbursements lower than actual expenditure. The 3rd Road, which spent nearly PLN 19 million, is expected to receive PLN 12.6 million, the Left - PLN 5.8 million at spending almost PLN 17 million, and the Confederation can number on little than PLN 3 million in return at spending of PLN 11.6 million.
How do low returns come about?
Smaller returns than actual spending, however, are no surprise. According to the electoral code, there is simply a circumstantial expression for calculating subsidies to political parties. This model implies summing up the expenditure of all election committees, then dividing this sum by the number of all mandates in the Sejm and the Senate. The result of this action is then multiplied by the number of mandates acquired by each group.
Insecurity related to the Law and Justice
The problem arises in the case of Law and Justice, as the deficiency of decisions on the acceptance of the financial statements of this organization may affect the final calculation of the reimbursement of run costs to all political parties. PKW President, Sylwester Marciniak, noted that "It is not possible to calculate the final amount of a subject grant for all eligible committees due to the fact that a resolution by the State Election Commission on the financial statements of the 10th Committee, which obtained the mandates of Members and Senators (Electoral Committee of Law and Justice) has not yet been adopted. The sum of the electoral run expenditure of all the electoral committees which have obtained at least 1 mandate is so not known (size In the expression setting out the calculation of the amount of the subject grant – Article 150(2) of the Electoral Code).’
What's next?
The uncertainty of the PPD on the PiS may consequence in a postponement of returns for another parties and further financial complications on the political stage. The final decision in this case will have crucial consequences, not only for the PiS, but besides for all another groups that anticipate reimbursement of the costs associated with the election campaign.
The current situation shows how crucial it is for the institutions liable for overseeing the financial affairs of political parties to follow procedures and take timely decisions. What further steps will PKW take and how will this affect the future of financial policy in Poland? These questions will be answered soon.
Daniel Głogowski
Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.
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PKW suspends run reimbursement for PiS: What about the finances of the fallen party?
