Last week Warsaw’s Regional Court removed Slawomir Menzena’s New Hope party from Poland’s political register, with party officials insisting their financial report was filed on time.
“Relax, We Won’t Vanish”
New Hope’s representative, Slawomir Menzena’s deputy, Bartłomiej Pejo, reassures supporters that the party is still under control, emphasizing that its disappearance is unlikely.
Timely Filing or Not?
While the court cited a late financial statement, the party claims the report was submitted before the March 31 deadline. MP Pejo attributes the issue to an “interpretation of the Electoral Commission” (PKW), whereas Tomasz Gąsior from the National Electoral Office said the submission had not reached the authorities by Friday.
The party’s spokesperson has yet to respond to further inquiries, leaving the status of the supposedly timely report unclear.
New Party on the Horizon
Following the court’s order, party leaders are preparing an appeal. If unsuccessful, they consider forming a new party and have suggested a range of options, including keeping the existing name.
No Room for Maneuver
According to Dr. Anna Frydrych‑Depka, once the party is struck from the register, the only viable path is to establish a new political grouping. She notes that formally, a new entity can adopt the same name as the former one.
Recurring Financial Issues
Past scrutiny by the PKW includes rejected financial statements for the Confederation’s European Parliament campaign, citing alcohol purchases and unapproved non‑cash benefits. The commission highlighted irregularities totaling approximately 47,000 PLN, with additional concerns over campaign merchandise and other costs.
The latest setback may trigger loss of state funding for the party. Confederation officials have appealed to the Supreme Court, alleging political motives behind the PKW’s decisions.