Deputy Minister Profit From Micro-Apartments Drafts Short-Term Rental Bill Amid Conflict of Interest Claims
Deputy Sports and Tourism Minister Ireneusz Raś faces intense scrutiny and calls for resignation after investigations reveal he previously profited from micro-apartments in Łódź while overseeing...
Deputy Sports and Tourism Minister Ireneusz Raś faces intense scrutiny and calls for resignation after investigations reveal he previously profited from micro-apartments in Łódź while overseeing short-term rental legislation.
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Investigations Link Deputy Minister to Micro-Apartments
As reported by Money.pl, Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism Ireneusz Raś, who is responsible for work on the short-term rental bill, derived income from renting micro-apartments in a Łódź tenement. Two weeks before taking office, the PSL politician sold two premises to his brother, Rev. Dariusz Raś, while a third apartment went to his ex-wife during a property division.
Raś Denies Wrongdoing and Conflict of Interest
Responding to allegations on the “Graffiti” program, Raś stated that he sold the properties and could not have known a month prior that he would be elected Sejm member, adding that he is not a prophet. He assured that the premises were not used for short-term rental and that he did not inform the prime minister or sports minister about owning them.
Opposition Demands Removal From Legislation Work
PiS Vice-President Przemysław Czarnek stated that Raś should be removed from working on the bill because he is pursuing his own interests rather than those of ordinary tenants. Czarnek called it a classic conflict of interest, arguing that basic decency requires stepping aside from processing the legislation.
Defense of Actions and Refusal to Resign
Addressing calls for his resignation by the opposition, Raś asked why he should step down, criticizing journalists for what he termed “lying with the truth.” He stated he is not a wealthy man and needed money to build his family home. In a Facebook statement, he emphasized that he has consistently disclosed his assets since 2005 and has nothing to hide.
Legislative Process and Transparency Assurance
The government adopted the draft amendment regulating short-term rentals in mid-July. Raś assured that all legislative actions regarding short-term rentals are fully transparent, compliant with applicable procedures, and that every stage of the work is documented and publicly accessible.