Polish Parliamentary Committee Demands Central Bank President Be Referred to Tribunal

A committee of the Polish parliament has recommended that the country's central bank governor, Adam Glapiński, be brought before the State Tribunal. According to the committee chairman, Zdzisław Gawlik, Glapiński will have to answer charges related to possible constitutional violations committed while in office.

The majority of the committee accuses Glapiński of violating the constitution and legislation. The charges include indirectly financing the budget deficit through asset purchases in 2020–2021, carrying out similar operations without proper authorization from the Monetary Policy Council, and politicizing the central bank.

Glapiński denies the accusations. According to him, the committee's process is entirely baseless and harms Poland's national interests. He also stated that the central bank will not yield to political pressure. Glapiński was not invited to testify before the committee.

The committee's report and recommendation were supported by 11 out of 21 members, two committee members told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The vote and other stages of the proceedings, including hearings, were held behind closed doors.

The report and two alternative proposals from opposition MPs will now be submitted to the lower house of parliament, the Sejm. A date for the vote has not yet been set, and it cannot take place until all MPs have had the opportunity to review the report and at least 21 days have passed.

To adopt the relevant resolution in the Sejm, at least half of the full body of MPs must be present, along with an absolute majority of votes among those present. However, in 2024 Poland's Constitutional Tribunal ruled that such a decision requires the support of three-fifths of votes, and that referring Glapiński to the State Tribunal would not automatically result in his removal. The government disputes the legitimacy of these rulings.

The case is unfolding against a backdrop of political confrontation in Poland. Glapiński has long-standing ties to Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party. The party lost power in 2023. Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist political force says that those responsible for alleged violations during the previous government's term must be held accountable.

Zbigniew Konwiński, head of the ruling coalition's parliamentary faction, stated that the coalition will have the votes needed to adopt the resolution. PiS MP Iwona Arent, however, expressed doubt, suggesting that the government would attempt to suspend Glapiński's powers. According to her, the opposition may appeal to international institutions that protect the independence of central banks.

The European Central Bank declined to comment on the decision of the Polish parliamentary committee. Glapiński's second and final term expires in June 2028.