Left-wing MP Anna Maria Żukowska faces scrutiny after billing for 33,000 kilometers of travel in 2025, prompting Sejm Speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty to defend her expenses amid ongoing controversy.
The Mileage Controversy
In 2025, Anna Maria Żukowska recorded 33,000 kilometers in official travel expenses, averaging 90 kilometers per day. Critics point out that her constituency office is located less than two kilometers from the Sejm, raising questions regarding the necessity of the claims.
Official Response and Future Regulations
Włodzimierz Czarzasty, responding to questions in the Sejm, noted that new regulations concerning mileage reimbursements will take effect on January 1, 2026. He expressed confidence that these changes will provide necessary clarity, with further details expected in April next year.
Czarzasty’s Defense of Żukowska
Czarzasty emphasized that Żukowska maintains multiple offices rather than just one and frequently travels across Poland as the head of her parliamentary club. He also clarified that reports claiming she does not own a car are incorrect, as she previously utilized a leased vehicle.
Żukowska Addresses Claims
Responding to reports that she received over 38,000 PLN in reimbursements, Żukowska dismissed the coverage as unreliable. She stated that as the only Left-wing MP in the Mazovia region, she manages seven offices and that parliamentary duties extend across the entire country.
Context of Parliamentary Allowances
MPs receive a monthly allowance of 23,300 PLN to cover office costs, including travel, despite free public transport availability in Warsaw. Żukowska currently ranks third among Warsaw MPs for mileage claims, trailing Piotr Kandyba and Piotr Uściński.
