Gliński’s Pet Project Under Scrutiny: Nearly 40 Million PLN Accounted for as Irregularities

A National Treasury Administration audit has revealed that over 94 percent of the 42.2 million PLN in public funds allocated to the Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski Institute were spent improperly between 2020 and 2023.

The Origins and Purpose of the Institute

The Institute of National Thought Heritage was established in 2020 by the Law and Justice (PiS) government under then-Culture Minister Piotr Gliński. The objective was to study nationalist and Christian-democratic intellectual heritage, which Gliński described as a neglected and persecuted aspect of Polish history.

The institution engaged in educational, scholarship, and grant programs, while organizing exhibitions and lectures. Led by former PiS senator and historian Jan Żaryn, it was rebranded in 2023 as the Gabriel Narutowicz Institute of Political Thought under the leadership of Dr. Adam Leszczyński.

Audit Reveals Massive Financial Irregularities

A National Treasury Administration (KAS) audit found irregularities involving 39.7 million PLN out of the 42.2 million PLN total budget. A primary concern was the aborted plan to create a Museum of Christian-National Heritage; the Institute spent 17.6 million PLN on a property and 10.8 million PLN on renovations that were never completed, with the ground and first floors left untouched.

Auditors also questioned the 290,000 PLN purchase of Ignacy Jan Paderewski memorabilia. Experts determined that some items had zero artistic value, including a piano that, contrary to claims, did not belong to the former Prime Minister.

Further funds were sunk into a headquarters on Słowicza Street. After moving to a new office on Emilii Plater Street, the Institute currently rents out the Słowicza property to avoid vacancy, despite the significant public expenditure on the building that no longer serves its original purpose. Jan Żaryn declined to comment.

Supreme Audit Office Report on the Patriotic Fund

A 2024 Supreme Audit Office (NIK) report found that the Institute distributed nearly 102 million PLN through the Patriotic Fund to over 460 organizations between 2021 and 2023. The audit revealed that the Institute allowed applicants to correct errors after deadlines and awarded grants despite formal or substantive flaws.

NIK noted that some evaluators were linked to the organizations seeking support, and the Institute’s director transferred 1.5 million PLN to 19 beneficiaries without proper justification. Consequently, NIK has filed a notification with the prosecutor’s office.