Confederation politician Sławomir Mentzen sparked a confrontation with the military leadership after claiming the Polish Armed Forces falsify readiness documentation, leading to a stern rebuttal from the General Staff.
Allegations of Falsified Readiness
During an appearance on the “Rymanowski Live” program, Confederation politician Sławomir Mentzen claimed that the Polish military systematically falsifies its documentation. He asserted that many capabilities exist only on paper and stated that he possesses evidence of these practices, though he declined to reveal it immediately, promising to do so when possible.
Mentzen emphasized that his information comes from soldiers who have allegedly confirmed to him that such practices are widespread. He maintained that the military is fully aware of these discrepancies between reported data and actual operational status.
Response from the General Staff and Ministry of Defense
The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces firmly rejected the allegations. Spokesperson Col. Marek Pietrzak stated that the military dismisses any suggestions of falsifying documentation or presenting false data regarding operational readiness. He warned that such unsubstantiated claims harm the credibility of the Polish Armed Forces and the reputation of soldiers serving the state.
The Ministry of National Defense declined to comment on public speculation but reminded the politician of his legal responsibilities. Officials noted that as a public official, a member of Parliament has a legal obligation to report any knowledge of a crime to law enforcement authorities immediately.
Refusal to Apologize to General Kukuła
During the same broadcast, Mentzen addressed his previous criticisms of General Wiesław Kukuła, the Chief of the General Staff. The politician had previously described the general as “abnormal” and questioned his competence. Mentzen explicitly refused to apologize for the remarks.
The politician further clarified his previous stance, admitting that he had actually intended to use a harsher term. He stated that he had initially wanted to call the general an “idiot” but “bit his tongue” and used the term “abnormal” instead during the original statement.