On Wednesday evening, members and supporters of Konfederacja KoronaPolska convened in a closed meeting with party leader Grzegorz Braun to discuss the party’s foreign branch organization and financial policies.
Meeting Overview
About 60 participants – including supporters from the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, and Canada – attended the Wednesday evening session with Grzegorz Braun. The meeting, partly recorded by Gazeta.pl, was moderated by Diana Ruchniewicz and included parliamentary representatives Roman Fritz and Sławomir Zawiślak. Braun left after only a few minutes, while the discussion initially focused on the party’s financial regulations.
Target Shift: From Korona to Pobudka
Treasury official Kamila Jezierska explained that, under Article 25 of the Political Parties Act, contributions can only be transferred from Polish‑resident accounts. She advised supporters with foreign accounts to redirect their funds to the Pobudka foundation, a body closely linked to Braun’s movement.
Circumvention of the Law?
Dr Anna Frydrych‑Depka from the University of Toruń noted that foundations could potentially hide political activity under their statutory purpose, making enforcement difficult when their goals align with party policy. Krzysztof Izdebski observed that the law was enacted before Poland’s EU accession, calling into question its relevance today and suggesting possible reform.
Roman Fritz: I Deny It Was a Loose Conversation
When questioned about payments to Pobudka, Fritz denied any formal decision and described the talk as informal. However, the treasury’s recorded remarks made clear that foreign‑account contributions are prohibited and should be funneled to Pobudka if no Polish account exists. A participant who paid from a foreign account asked whether a repeat contribution to the foundation was necessary; the treasury advised a donation to Pobudka in that case.
Church, School, Shooting Range: What is Pobudka?
Pobudka, founded by Braun and Włodzimierz Skalicki in 2015, aims to educate society in four areas: church, school, shooting range, and mint. Its activities include promoting the Tridentine Mass, supporting Catholic schools, encouraging shooting skills, and spreading conservative ideological awareness. Initially a grassroots initiative, it diminished after the Korona’s establishment, with many former volunteers opting out of political involvement.
Leadership and Founders Council
Roman Fritz chairs Pobudka’s board. The founders council, the oversight body, consists of Braun and Skalicki. The foundation is not a public‑benefit organisation and does not receive the 1.5 % income‑tax deduction, though its website links to the Osuchowa foundation, another Korona‑affiliated entity that sells conservative literature and films.
