Biznes Fakty
KPO. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski on Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz: the minister said „heads will roll for this”
„I’m not sure if I should mention this, but yesterday the minister remarked: 'Heads will roll for this,'” stated Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski during „Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24. The Minister of Digital Affairs was questioned regarding discrepancies in the National Recovery Plan (KPO) subsidies designated for the HoReCa sector.
The Deputy Prime Minister was inquired whether the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, should be removed from her position.
„No, it’s not as if we should eliminate the head that has driven the modernization leap in Poland. When errors occur, others must also state: 'I apologize, I am accountable, I am resigning,'” responded the head of the Ministry of Digital Affairs.
Gawkowski discusses Pełczyńska-Nałęcz
As Gawkowski elaborated, the Minister of Funds „spoke the truth” at the government meeting on Tuesday. „She outlined the aspects we were discussing that could have been problematic. I appreciate that,” he remarked.
He further added: – The minister arrived and stated: „I have initiated an investigation, I have commenced checks, not a single zloty will pass without scrutiny, and there will be no leniency in this matter.”
„On the flip side, it cannot be overlooked that errors occurred,” the Deputy Prime Minister remarked. „I also pointed that out. There were errors, and we will draw conclusions from them.”
The Minister of Digital Affairs also disagrees with simply „defending that nothing went wrong.”
Deputy Prime Minister: KPO funds are truly transforming Poland
Gawkowski was further questioned about Wednesday’s comments made by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who stated that he was „moderately” satisfied with Minister Pełczyńska-Nałęcz’s explanation.
„I have the impression that we would all prefer this scandal—in quotes, because I consider it a matter that needs clarification, not a significant scandal—to vanish. It detracts from the image that this KPO funding is genuinely changing Poland,” the Deputy Prime Minister responded.
He added: „The issue is that from a small portion of what were likely erroneous elements, we created something that today indicates – we shouldn’t reject KPO. We should accept it. We should utilize the funds,” he emphasized.
Gawkowski on Pełczyńska-Nałęcz: how a broom cleans TVN24KPO subsidies for the HoReCa sector
On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers convened a meeting to address concerns regarding the allocation of funds from the National Recovery Plan. These concerns relate to businesses within the HoReCa (hotel and restaurant) sector, which have been significantly affected by the pandemic. The government has already signaled an audit of subsidies in this domain.
Due to suspected irregularities, criticism has been directed at the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.
There is significant discussion regarding KPO subsidies
Late last week, instances of businesses in the HoReCa (hotel and restaurant) sector receiving KPO subsidies began surfacing on social media, including for corporate yachts, saunas, tanning beds, furniture replacements, and the acquisition of a virtual shooting range. The media began reporting on this issue, with politicians among others commenting on the KPO funds for the sector on social media and in the press.
Deputy Minister of Funds Jan Szyszko announced that the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP), which oversees the disbursement of these funds, will undertake additional inspections to verify „every zloty” utilized in investments for the HoReCa sector.
Acting President of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, Krzysztof Gulda, assured that preliminary audit findings will be presented no later than the end of September this year. He stated that should evidence of irregularities arise, the contract with the beneficiary may be terminated and the EU funds may need to be returned.
Minister of Funds Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz confirmed that corrective actions were implemented two weeks ago.
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