Establishment of State Committee for the Examination of Russian Impacts on internal Security in Poland

Summary:

Information Guide concerning the setting up in 2023 of a National Committee to investigate Russian political influence in Poland.

Further information:

Poland's Parliament adopted on 26 May 2023 a Bill seeking to establish a commission aimed at investigating Russian political influence in the country between 2007 and 2022. This period covers the government led by the Civic Platform (PO) party led by Donald Tusk, as well as the incumbent cabinets led by Law and Justice (PiS) party. The vote overturned the Senate's initial rejection of the proposed legislation, and it was followed by the formal endorsement of the country's President on 30 May.

The establishment of this commission was met with concern and criticism both within borders and among allies in the Western world. The government's opposition deemed it a political witch hunt aimed at hurting it ahead of parliamentary elections later in the year.

The European Commission showed concerns over the use of this law to prevent individuals to run for public office, without fair trial. On 8 June, an infringement procedure (INFR(2023)2088) was launched against Poland - through a letter of formal notice - for violations of EU law in regard to this committee.

Commentary and Analysis

Euro|topics, May 2023: Poland sets up controversial investigative commission https://www.eurotopics.net/en/301841/

TIME Magazine, 31/05/2023: The Real Reason Behind Poland's Controversial New 'Russian Influence Law' https://time.com/6283484/poland-election-crackdown/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 08/06/2023: Judy Asks: Is Poland’s Democracy in Danger? https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/89911

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News

Deutsche Welle, 26/05/2023: Poland passes contentious bill to examine Russian influence https://p.dw.com/p/4Rsbf

Politico, 27/05/2023: Polish opposition denounces new commission to probe Russian influence https://www.politico.eu/article/polish-opposition-denounces-new-commission-to-probe-russian-influence/

Notes from Poland, 27/05/2023: Polish parliament passes bill to create commission investigating Russian influence https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/05/27/polish-parliament-passes-bill-to-create-commission-investigating-russian-influence/

Politico, 30/05/2023: EU blasts Poland over Russian interference law https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-blast-poland-russian-interference-law-ban-public-office/

BBC News, 30/05/2023: Polish probe into 'Russian influence' angers EU https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65752803

RTÉ News, 30/05/2023: Concerns over Poland's 'Russian influence' committee https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0530/1386434-poland-russia/

Euronews, 30/05/2023: Brussels and Washington raise concerns about Poland's new law to probe cases of 'Russian influence' https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/05/30/eu-debates-polands-controversial-new-russian-influence-commission

Radio Poland, 30/05/2023: 'Russian influence on Poland's domestic security requires thorough investigation': foreign ministry https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7784/artykul/3179089

Associated Press (AP News), 30/05/2023: US and EU criticize Polish plans for law that could keep opposition from holding office https://apnews.com/article/eu-poland-us-antidemocratic-law-rusk-russia-06f6a8455c6957e94689835bfd5032c5

Bloomberg, 31/05/2023: Poland’s Leader Pushes Back Against US Rebuke of Russian Probe https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-31/poland-s-leader-pushes-back-against-us-rebuke-of-russian-probe

Le Monde, 31/05/2023: Brussels and Washington condemn Poland's controversial inquiry commission https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/05/31/european-commission-and-united-states-denounce-poland-s-controversial-inquiry-commission_6028557_4.html

Associated Press (AP News), 02/06/2023: Poland’s president proposes urgent amendments to law on Russian influence https://apnews.com/article/poland-duda-tusk-russia-influence-law-amendments-ce535f8f70cf79d58b2706ae3e09d381

Euronews, 03/06/2023: Polish President Andrzej Duda offers changes to law on 'Russian influence' amid growing criticism https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/06/02/polish-president-andrzej-duda-offers-changes-to-law-on-russian-influence-amid-growing-crit

Euronews, 07/06/2023: The European Commission launches legal action against Poland over 'Russian influence' law https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/06/07/the-european-commission-launches-legal-action-against-poland-over-russian-influence-law

Politico, 07/06/2023: EU sues Poland after blowback over Kremlin influence law https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-poland-kremlin-over-controversial-russia-influence-law/

EurActiv, 08/06/2023: EU launches case against Poland over ‘Russian influence’ panel https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/eu-launches-case-against-poland-over-russian-influence-panel/

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Official

US Department of State: Press Release, 29/05/2023: Concerns Over Potential use of New Polish Legislation to Target Opposition https://www.state.gov/concerns-over-potential-use-of-new-polish-legislation-to-target-opposition/

European Commission: Statement by the European Commission on the Polish law establishing a State Committee for the Examination of Russian Impacts on internal Security (30 May 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_23_2989

Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: MFA statement on our allies' opinions and remarks regarding our national legislation (30 May 2023) https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/mfa-statement-on-our-allies-opinions-and-remarks-regarding-our-national-legislation

European Commission: Press Release, 08/06/2023: Rule of Law: Commission launches infringement procedure against Poland for violating EU law with the new law establishing a special committee https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3134

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