Duda’s Unscheduled Lobbying Meeting Under Scrutiny

Former President Andrzej Duda’s June meeting with Armament Agency chief General Artur Kuptel and a fintech executive has sparked controversy over potential lobbying, despite official claims that all procedures were followed.

The Circumstances of the Meeting

Reports from Rzeczpospolita indicate that former President Andrzej Duda met with the head of the Armament Agency, General Artur Kuptel, in June. The meeting was also attended by Dawid Rożek, founder of the fintech firm ZEN.COM, where Duda serves as a supervisory board member.

While intended as a courtesy call, discussions reportedly touched upon drones for the Polish military. Deputy Defense Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka stated that General Kuptel was unaware of the additional attendee and requested that the accompanying individuals leave the room, resulting in a private conversation with the former president.

Official Adherence to Procedures

The Armament Agency confirmed the June 24 meeting, stating it was conducted in compliance with regulations established in 2017 by then-Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz. These rules were designed to prevent corruption and maintain impartiality in dealings with contractors.

The guidelines mandate that meetings be recorded or attended by at least two institutional representatives to avoid conflicts of interest. Officials confirmed that reports regarding the meeting were duly filed with security services, and they maintain that General Kuptel acted appropriately under the circumstances.

Duda and Tusk Clash Over Conduct

Andrzej Duda defended his actions on social media, insisting that his visit to the government-linked institution was official, procedural, and entirely appropriate, dismissing any suggestions of wrongdoing.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk took a different view, publicly criticizing the event as unacceptable lobbying. Tusk stated that such practices compromise state projects and undermine the integrity of defense procurement, which must remain transparent given the massive scale of current military spending.