TVP Info journalist defends a zero‑emission yacht purchase as harmless, asking “Where’s the scandal?” – a question that fuels the debate over the National Recovery Plan funds.
Controversy Over NRP Grants: TVP Info Journalist Asks “Where’s the Scandal?”
Vice‑Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski appeared on TVP Info’s “Question of the Day” on Friday evening, hosted by Piotr Maślak. From the outset, the journalist highlighted that the word “scandal” in the context of NRP spending is being used in a “big quotation mark.” He briefly reminded viewers of the NRP’s aims: to revive the economy’s developmental capacity, invest in climate‑protection projects, reduce energy consumption, promote digitization, and diversify across sectors. He added that he had spent several hours reviewing the examples that the whole of Poland is seeing. “There is no irregularity in a tennis‑court owner purchasing a zero‑emission yacht, sub‑leasing it to tourists and clients, and making money from it. Where is the scandal?” he asked.
He continued, “There is no wrong in a solarium owner buying mobile espresso machines to sell coffee profitably. The same goes for a tennis‑court owner buying a zero‑emission yacht and leasing it out to tourists and clients. Where’s the scandal?” This remark triggered a flurry of comments as the conversation moved to the broader implications of the NRP.
Why Is the Prime Minister Explaining Himself?
Gawkowski replied that “there is no scandal; it’s a matter that needs to be clarified.” He went on to stress that the money is being put to work for digitization—billion‑platinum for ensuring high‑speed internet in every Polish home—and for Polish hospitals, oncology, and other critical sectors. “Why does the prime minister feel the need to explain these seemingly irrational examples that have been circulating in the media?” Maślak prompted. Gawkowski answered that “the situation must be clarified to the end, and no single złoty should be wasted.” He added, “I question the narrative. Is it not true that the government constantly submits to the narrative imposed by the opposition?” The journalist followed up with the idea that, were there mistakes in NRP expenditure, the responsible individuals should resign. Maślak responded that “this is the narrative dominating the media—there should be accountability, punishment, and rift.” Gawkowski explained that “this is the plan upon which thousands of entrepreneurs are building their businesses, and likely saving the economy from the post‑pandemic downturn.”
Reactions to NRP Grants
A segment of the public is outraged by the support granted to HoReCa (hospitality and catering) enterprises from the NRP funds. Companies applied for financing for items such as yachts, espresso machines, saunas, ice‑cream machines, and even bridge‑gamen courses. “We are dealing with a description of situations where the projects chosen for funding do not meet its goals. They appear to be cunning projects and a cunning approach to public money,” said Jan Szyszko, Deputy Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, at a press conference. The deputy announced that “after learning the scale of irregularities” the chief of the Polish Enterprise Development Agency, Katarzyna Duber‑Stachurska, was dismissed at the end of July. He also recommended initiating a control starting with the Rzeszów Regional Development Agency, where “there are the most doubts at this stage.” The matter is also being investigated by the prosecutor’s office, which is looking into whether there are grounds to open a criminal investigation.
