A Polish councilor, Dariusz W., was fined 10,000 złoty for suggesting Germany should be bombed every 50 years, sparking a legal case in Radom.
Councilor’s Controversial Statement and Initial Reaction
Dariusz W. stated, “We cannot allow the European Union to decide how courts will function in Poland, how the law will function, which will protect life. It is not up to the EU to judge us.” He further claimed that Germany, having inflicted harm on Poland during the war, was unfit to lecture Poland on the rule of law.
He then referenced a supposed quote by Winston Churchill advocating for bombing Germany every 50 years without reason, a claim disputed by historians according to Gazeta.pl.
Court Ruling and Financial Penalties
On April 23rd, the Radom District Court found Dariusz W. guilty and imposed a fine of 10,000 złoty. He is also required to pay over 11,000 złoty to the State Treasury and a further 1,000 złoty in court fees.
Appeal Possibility and Councilor’s Response
The verdict is not final and can be appealed to the Radom Regional Court. Dariusz W. immediately expressed his disagreement with the ruling and indicated he would consider filing an appeal.
Court’s Justification for the Verdict
The court deemed Dariusz W.’s reference to the alleged quote about bombing Germany as highly inappropriate. Judge Aneta Rowińska-Zawada emphasized the need to consider the context and historical moment when the statement was made during a 2020 debate on the European budget.
The judge noted that W. criticized the EU’s influence on the Polish judicial system and invoked historical grievances against Germany to undermine the EU’s legitimacy, including Germany’s, to evaluate Poland.
Analysis of Councilor’s Rhetoric
The court observed a tendency towards generalizations and a lack of specific information in W.’s statements, characterizing it as a manipulative tactic to spread unease and chaos. The use of the trauma of World War II was seen as an attempt to evoke emotion and discredit Germany.
The court considered the statement about bombing Germany as potentially inciting hatred or conflict.
Councilor’s Defense and Explanation
The investigation was initiated following a report from the Center for Monitoring Racist and Xenophobic Behavior. Dariusz W. maintained he had no intention of insulting the German people or inciting hatred, claiming his statement was a “rhetorical figure” directed at the German establishment and their policies towards Poland in 2020.
Past Conflicts and Incidents
Dariusz W. is a well-known councilor in Radom, a long-time activist for Law and Justice (PiS), and a former Chairman of the Radom City Council. He left the local PiS structures in 2025 due to a conflict with MP Marek Suski, becoming an independent councilor.
In March, he was also involved in a physical altercation with the then-coach of Radomiak football club, Goncalo Feio, over the condition of the pitch before a match. Feio initially filed a criminal complaint but later withdrew it, leading to the case being dropped.
