WARSAW, Dec 30 - Poland's electoral commission has reversed its earlier decision to reject the financial report of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, allowing the party to retain millions in state funding ahead of the 2025 presidential election.
In August, the commission had ruled that PiS illegally spent 3.6 million zlotys (approximately $880,000) during its 2023 electoral campaign, citing examples such as electioneering at military recruitment events.
Despite losing its majority in the 2023 general election, PiS emerged as the leading party, leading to the formation of a coalition government by pro-European parties. The decision to reverse the funding suspension follows a PiS appeal to a chamber of the Supreme Court, which the current government does not recognize as legitimate due to concerns over the appointment of judges.
The head of the electoral commission, Sylwester Marciniak, stated that the commission is obliged to implement the Supreme Court's decision regarding PiS's financial report. PiS spokesperson Rafal Bochenek criticized the earlier funding suspension as illegal and called for the immediate release of over 17 million zlotys (around $4.15 million) in withheld funds.