On 27 November, PiS MP Janusz Kowalski posted a photo of himself and fellow MP Zbigniew Ziobro in Budapest, sparking online ridicule over their presence amid legal troubles.
PiS MPs travel to Budapest with Ziobro
Janusz Kowalski announced on 27 November that he and Robert Bąkiewicz would travel to Hungary’s capital to conduct parliamentary dialogue with MP Dariusz Stefaniuk on energy and artificial intelligence. He posted a photograph with Zbigniew Ziobro, who is already in Budapest, despite prosecutors aiming to charge him with 26 counts related to the Justice Fund.
Ziobro’s presence follows the Sejm lifting his parliamentary immunity and agreeing to a temporary arrest, while he remains abroad.
Opposition mocks trip, Kowalski responds
Comments from opposition parties and activists criticized the trip. Tomasz Trela (Lewica), Krzysztof Machałek (Growspace) and Sławomir Ćwik (Polski 2050) mocked the MPs, suggesting they had fled or set up an exiled parliamentary circle. Kowalski replied, promising to return tomorrow to secure support for an amendment for 10 million złoty for the Zamoyski Palace refurbishment, and denied returning, citing political reasons.
Justice Fund scandal: Ziobro and Romanowski in exile
Ziobro, a former justice minister, faces 26 accusations including leading a criminal organization linked to misappropriation of Justice Fund money. Marcin Romanowski, his party ally, is also in Hungary, following the lifting of his immunity.