Janusz Kowalski resigned from Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) parliamentary club on April 30th, citing concerns over local political deals and alleged ties to a cryptocurrency scandal.
Kowalski Announces Departure from PiS
Janusz Kowalski announced his resignation from the Law and Justice (PiS) parliamentary club on Thursday, April 30th, while stating he would remain an independent member of parliament. PiS spokesperson Rafał Bochenek confirmed the information, adding that the decision also results in his expulsion from the party, according to the party’s statutes.
“Everything Has Its Limits”
Kowalski explained his decision in a Friday recording, stating, “Everything has its limits.” He indicated he had informed party authorities months prior that his strong engagement in the Lubelszczyzna region (district number seven) to rebuild PiS and regain voter trust was contingent on not tolerating what he believes led to their 2023 electoral defeat.
Allegations of Local Corruption
According to Kowalski, residents of Biłgoraj perceive “PiS politicians recruiting members like Janusz Palikot, collaborating with former communists, and collecting supervisory board positions and company shares.” He stated his departure was prompted by his inability to endorse a situation where central efforts to strengthen the right-wing are undermined by local arrangements.
Zondacrypto and Legal Action
Kowalski announced legal action against Wirtualna Polska, following reports linking his departure to the Zondacrypto affair—a cryptocurrency exchange that halted withdrawals and deprived thousands of clients of access to their funds. Reports suggest PiS leadership had information connecting Kowalski to the exchange’s network.
Kowalski preemptively announced his departure, and the media reported at least four visits to locations in Katowice associated with the company and its president, Przemysław Kral.
Threat of Defamation Suit
On Friday, Kowalski requested the contact information for Szymon Jadczak and Karolina Wysota from Wirtualna Polska via platform X, stating he was preparing a private criminal complaint for defamation based on article 212 of the Polish Penal Code.
Kowalski’s Financial and Tax Program
Kowalski also published his “comprehensive financial and tax program for Poland,” which he intends to advocate for in the Sejm. The program proposes a complete overhaul of the tax system since 1989, with automated tax calculations and citizen approval of final assessments.
Proposals include a new PIT for families with two or more children, replacing CIT with a pro-investment tax on cash flow, and simplifying VAT and excise duties, funded by system improvements and bureaucracy reduction.
Political History
Kowalski was first elected to the Sejm in 2019, representing the Opolskie district as part of Solidarna Polska, led by Zbigniew Ziobro. He served as Deputy Minister of State Assets from December 2019 until his dismissal in February 2021 due to criticism of coalition partners and the government’s energy policy.
He later became Deputy Minister of Agriculture in September 2022 and secured another parliamentary mandate in autumn 2023. He resigned from Suwerenna Polska (formerly Solidarna Polska) in June 2024 and joined PiS in September of the same year, having previously been affiliated with several parties, including the Conservative-People’s Party, the Right Alliance, and Civic Platform.