- Beyond the apartment dispute, the lawmakers’ office purchases have ignited significant public interest.
- Artur Dziambor details initial discussions among representatives about office fittings. He recounts the inquiries and suggestions exchanged amongst the legislators at the time.
- Will Gajewska and Myrcha face consequences? Andrzej Szejna of the Left party indicates who has the authority to decide.
Gajewska and Myrcha receive housing allowances despite owning a property near Warsaw. They explained that the home has undergone extensive renovations for years. The issue arose because the property was only added to the KO MP’s asset declaration this year. The representative subsequently filed an amended declaration with the Sejm, stating that she received the dwelling from her parents.
Arkadiusz Myrcha’s clarification, meant to settle the matter, only raised further questions. To ensure his children’s enrollment in Warsaw schools, he registered as a Warsaw resident for tax purposes. His Warsaw address, therefore, solely functions for tax reasons, he stated in a communication to the parliamentary ethics committee. Read the politician’s statement here.
Nevertheless, the pair’s office purchases generated even more public scrutiny.
Over a two-year span, Myrcha acquired four coffee machines, for a total cost nearing PLN 7,500. In 2021, Gajewska equipped her workplace with an automated floor cleaner (exceeding PLN 2,100), a vacuum cleaner (almost PLN 235), and an Apple Watch (PLN 1,429).
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“More a luxury than an essential item”
– A torrent of criticism was directed at them. Yet, every legislator residing outside the capital is entitled to financial aid—this is confirmed by a Civic Coalition member, choosing to stay anonymous.
— This timepiece is quite perplexing. I can easily justify a laptop, mobile phone, audio gear, and sound equipment; these are work essentials for a Member of Parliament. But I don’t understand why an MP would need a wristwatch—former parliamentarian Artur Dziambor remarked in a conversation with Onet.
— The representative should use personal funds for such a purchase. Just like a car—the politician, previously with Konfederacja and now with PSL, added.
Lawmakers from the Civic Coalition concur. A smartwatch is more of a luxury item than a necessity in a parliamentary setting, one KO representative stated. However, the representative added a qualification: “The smartwatch’s function in the parliamentary office remains unclear to me.”
“I had to return the device”
Dziambor advocates for restraint. Parliamentary office equipment belongs to the parliamentary administration, not the representative. Upon leaving their position, the equipment must be returned, he explains.
He confirms that after finishing his parliamentary duties, he returned all assigned items, including his laptop. While he
A Polish legislator acquired a secondhand iPhone; a new replacement was subsequently given to his place of work, he confirms.
The former parliamentarian acknowledges inconsistencies within the parliamentary office framework, advocating for prompt reform. He maintains that oversight entities within the Sejm Chancellery are tasked with compelling representatives to reimburse funds when discrepancies arise.
However, a different viewpoint surfaces. Comparing the financial resources allocated to Polish Sejm offices with those available to a Member of the European Parliament reveals a significant difference. MEP funding facilitates a substantial personal operation, whereas an MP’s allowance barely covers two employees—one at the national average salary, the other at minimum wage—with remaining funds dedicated to operational costs, Dziambor points out.
Is a microwave acceptable in the office?
Polish parliamentarians receive a considerable, one-time payment of 22,000 Polish zlotys for maintaining their legislative offices. This sum covers expenses like staff compensation, communication services, and vehicle costs associated with official duties.
Dziambor further explains that lawmakers receive guidance on appropriate budget allocation for their offices in each session. This direction clarifies acceptable purchases, such as laptops and mobile phones, while specifying ineligible purchases, including vehicles. He recalls a training session where representatives inquired about purchasing kitchen appliances—specifically, microwaves and coffee machines. The response confirmed their eligibility, emphasizing that such equipment remains the property of the Sejm Chancellery.
What are the consequences?
Members of the governing coalition avoid directly addressing potential repercussions for the political alliance. In a conversation with Onet, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna alludes to who has the final say.
— I await Szymon Hołownia’s statement on this matter. Andrzej Szejna of the Left encourages him to take a position. Meanwhile, the Sejm Speaker has expressed reservations.
In contrast, governing coalition representatives state: – Sanctions? Why? No law was broken. The perception might be negative, but we remember more serious allegations against PiS parliamentarians that went unpunished. Or, Myrcha could simply stop receiving this housing allowance.
Polish Lawmakers Face Scrutiny Over Spending Habits
Enrollment of their offspring in Warsaw schools has fueled the debate surrounding the claimed place of residence for a pair of Polish parliamentarians.
Lavish Office Purchases: The acquisition of expensive workplace appliances, such as numerous coffee machines and an automated cleaning device for Gajewska, is viewed as excessive and raises concerns about the proper allocation of resources. Notably, the purchase of an Apple Watch for Gajewska is cited as an unnecessary expense.
Public Response: The spending has attracted harsh criticism. However, a representative from the Civic Coalition points out that housing assistance is offered to members of parliament residing outside of the nation’s capital. Former representative Artur Dziambor underscores the questionable nature of the Apple Watch purchase, contrasting it with justifiable professional costs, such as laptops and mobile phones.
In essence, the account reveals a possible misuse of public funds and dubious ethical conduct by Polish lawmakers. The core issues involve housing allowances, address declarations for school registration, and extravagant office expenditures. This dispute exposes inconsistencies between professed needs and actual spending.
The provided text details allegations against Polish MPs Gajewska and Myrcha regarding housing allowances and office purchases. The potential consequences are unclear, but the text indicates that the Sejm (the Polish parliament) has the authority to decide.
Specifically:
Housing Allowances: Both received housing allowances despite owning property near Warsaw. Their explanations (extensive renovations and tax reasons, respectively) have been met with skepticism.
Office Purchases: Myrcha’s purchase of four expensive coffee machines and Gajewska’s purchases of a robotic floor cleaner, vacuum cleaner, and an Apple Watch have drawn criticism, with many arguing these items are luxuries, not necessities for parliamentary work.
While the Sejm has the power to determine consequences, the text doesn’t describe what actions, if any, have been taken or will be taken. The quoted opinions of various politicians highlight a division of opinion on whether the expenses were justified. Some argue that the housing allowances and certain office purchases are inappropriate uses of public funds, while others suggest that the rules governing such allowances are clear and were followed.
