Opposition files dismissal motion against justice minister
Poland's main opposition grouping, Civic Coalition (KO), and the Left party have jointly submitted a motion to dismiss Zbigniew Ziobro, the justice minister.
The opposition accuses Ziobro, who is also the leader of the Solidary Poland party, a junior ally in the ruling coalition, of blocking Polish attempts to strike a deal with the European Commission on the National Recovery Plan (KPO).
The KPO outlines how Poland intends to spend money from a multi-billion euro post-pandemic recovery fund, but so far Polish access to the fund has been frozen owing to long-standing dispute between Brussels and Warsaw over the rule of law.
Ziobro and his party have consistently opposed any concessions that might end the impasse, prompting accusations that he is standing in the way of badly needed money.
"As announced earlier, we are submitting a motion to dismiss Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro from his position," the head of the KO caucus, Borys Budka, told a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
He said that the motion was also signed by the heads of other opposition caucuses, including the Left and Poland 2050 and was backed by the Polish People's Party (PSL).
Budka said that the motion is "to check all those who say today how much the money from European funds is needed."
He added that "we are helping the president of PiS (ruling party Law and Justice - PAP), Jarosław Kaczyński, to do what is necessary today for the Polish raison d'état, that is get rid of the greatest pest from the government, Zbigniew Ziobro."
Donald Tusk, head of KO's main party, Civic Platform (PO), last Thursday appealed to PIS: "Let's recall him (Ziobro - PAP) together."
"What's more important? Over PLN 300 billion for Poland, or a stool for Minister Ziobro?," he asked.
"We will help you dismiss this man, it is also in your interests, because if Poland gets the money we are owed, it will be better for everyone, including supporters of the ruling party," Tusk argued then.
But Piotr Mueller, the government spokesman, told a press conference on Saturday that there is no possibility of ousting Solidary Poland from the ruling camp. He added that PiS will vote against no confidence in Ziobro.
