Prime Minister Donald Tusk may prevent security services leadership from meeting with President Karol Nawrocki amid tensions over Marshal of the Sejm Szymon Czarzasty.
Government Stance on Presidential Meeting Request
Coordinator for Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak clarified that the decision regarding a potential meeting with President Karol Nawrocki rests with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. “No invitation has been received – apart from the statement by spokesman Leśkiewicz. If one comes, it will be Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s decision whether to agree to such a meeting,” Siemoniak stated.
Siemoniak’s words confirm that the government does not view the announcement from the presidential office as a formal request. The minister also noted an alternative path for information transfer: “Of course, the president can receive all information in writing under Article 18 of the Law on the Internal Security Agency and Intelligence Agency.”
Dispute Over Czarzasty’s Relations with Russian National
The controversy stems from events during a National Security Council meeting, where President’s spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz publicly criticized Marshal of the Sejm Szymon Czarzasty. Leśkiewicz claimed “Marshal Czarzasty refused to answer questions” despite allegedly receiving “unambiguous answers from Coordinator for Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak.”
The matter concerns Czarzasty’s relationship with Russian national Zuzanna Czestnych, who was involved in art market activities and connected to Russian financial institutions. Media reports indicate the woman held shares in a hotel company whose vice president was Małgorzata Czarzasta, the marshal’s wife.
Czarzasty firmly rejected the allegations: “In no matter do I have anything to reproach myself for.” He explained the circumstances of his acquaintance with the Russian woman, stating he met her during publishing cooperation and later, when his company sold hotel shares in 2019, she became the purchaser.
Government Views President’s Actions as Overstepping
The presidential office and PiS politicians emphasize the significance of the matter due to the marshal’s position as the second-highest official in the state with access to the most secret information.
There is no doubt in the government’s circle that the president’s actions are perceived as an intrusion into an area beyond his direct competencies. “The president is dealing with a matter that does not fall within his competencies,” a high-ranking politician from the ruling camp stated.
Tusk May Block Security Services Participation
According to sources in the government, the prime minister may decide to block the participation of security services leadership in the meeting at the Presidential Palace. Tusk believes the matter is being “cynically exploited” not only to attack the leader of New Left but the entire government.
New Left Defends Marshal Czarzasty
New Left has taken a firm stance in defense of Marshal Czarzasty. Party spokesman Łukasz Michnik emphasized that the allegations are baseless and based on insinuations.
Michnik also noted that the marshal undergoes special security procedures. “As a person holding such a high position, he is under constant counterintelligence protection.” In practice, this means security services continuously monitor the safety of the second-ranking official in the state hierarchy.
