Opposition leader Jarosław Kaczyński called the ruling coalition a moral collapse on Nov. 20, attacking the smiling Prime Minister, while prosecutors move to detain former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro.
Kaczyński’s Critique of the Government
On Monday, November 20, Jarosław Kaczyński wrote that the National Health Fund was bankrupt, patients were being sent away with receipts, and the “smiling prime minister” was organising games while pointing at compliant judges. He described the situation as a moral and political collapse of the ruling coalition.
Response to Ziobro’s Allegations
Kaczyński’s comments were directed at Zbigniew Ziobro’s post in which the former justice minister accused former Prime Minister Donald Tusk of orchestrating a “judicial set‑up.” Ziobro replied that the decision on arrest should be taken by the appointed “duty judge Malinowski” and criticized Tusk and “Żurek.”
Why Ziobro Is Sought for Arrest
The National Prosecutor’s Office applied for a temporary arrest of Ziobro, alleging that he is capable of actions aimed at hindering the effective conduct of procedural proceedings involving him. Authorities feared that he might not attend, hide, flee or try to manipulate the process.
Ziobro’s Flight to Hungary
Ziobro travelled to Hungary before the Sejm’s decision on the matter, saying he had a ticket to Poland but feared a criminally orchestrated provocation regarding his arrest. He stated, “I had a ticket purchased and was supposed to return to Poland, but I received information that a criminally organized next provocation related to my arrest would occur.”
Sejm’s Decision and Reactions
The request to lift Ziobro’s immunity and detain him temporarily was filed on 28 October and approved on 7 November. Ziobro had already reported on 27 October that he was invited to Budapest “to show our Hungarian friends what a government looks like with a prime minister appointed by Brussels.” On 30 October, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán posted a photo with him, but Ziobro did not return to Poland.