US lawmakers want Soros-linked Polish election ‘violations' addressed
US lawmakers have called on the European Commission to address suspected election fraud in Poland, voicing concern over what they describe as a biased approach ahead of the country's June 1 presidential runoff.
In a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast and fellow members expressed 'profound alarm' over developments 'undermining the integrity of democratic processes' in Poland. The letter cited foreign-funded online campaigns backing liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and the Polish government's refusal to release public funds to the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The concerns centered on political ads favoring Trzaskowski, backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition, which were allegedly financed from abroad. Poland's digital watchdog NASK earlier this month flagged paid Facebook ads that promoted Trzaskowski while targeting right-wing candidates Karol Nawrocki and Slawomir Mentzen.
While the funding source remains unverified, a Polish outlet linked the campaign to a local NGO connected to US Democratic donor George Soros' Open Society Foundations. US lawmakers warned the campaign 'may have occurred in contravention of Polish law.'
Another matter raised in the letter was the Polish government's refusal to release public campaign funds to the PiS party. The funds had previously been blocked due to the party's alleged spending violations during the 2023 parliamentary race. The Supreme Court later overturned the decision, but the verdict was issued by judges appointed under the former PiS-led administration – whom the current government considers illegitimate – and Warsaw has refused to comply and continued to withhold the money.
The US lawmakers believe the move violates the rule of law. They also noted that despite the European Commission's vocal criticism and decision to withhold over $150 billion from Poland for alleged rule-of-law violations under the previous PiS government, it has been 'conspicuously silent' in this case.
'This double standard suggests a deliberate effort to tilt the electoral playing field. Such selective enforcement undermines the EU's credibility as a guardian of democratic principles,' they stated.
'These actions, occurring under the European Commission's watch, expose a troubling double-standard in the EU's approach to Poland's rule of law, which demands urgent attention.'
The lawmakers requested a briefing with Commission representatives to discuss the concerns.
Trzaskowski won 31.1% in the first round, while Nawrocki took 29.7%. Trzaskowski, seen as the pro-Brussels and pro-Ukraine frontrunner, backs increased defense spending and continued support for Kiev. Nawrocki also supports military aid for Ukraine, but opposes NATO and EU membership for Kiev unless Ukraine acknowledges World War II-era massacres of Poles.
The European Commission has declined to comment directly on the letter. A spokesperson told Politico, however, that election oversight is a national matter and that the Commission 'does not address electoral processes.'
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