EU Covid funding in Poland: yachts, bars and swingers club spark political uproar
Transparency efforts are becoming a political burden for Prime Minister Donald Tusk: leaked data on the use of EU funds intended for recovery from the coronavirus crisis revealed bizarre target groups – and provided the conservative opposition with funds.
The government has published interactive maps to clearly show how the 1.2 billion zloty (about 282 million euros) HoReCa program has supported businesses that have been particularly hard hit during or after the pandemic. But there were some unexpected recipients among them: a swingers club, a pizzeria with a solarium and a chain of vodka bars. The money even financed yachts. Critics describe it as “one of the biggest scandals since 1989” and speak of a possible abuse of power – according to the opposition PiS party, every deal must be legally reviewed.
The rescue package is part of Poland’s national recovery plan, which had EU funds blocked under the previous PiS government over rule of law violations. Its launch is seen as a major step forward for Tusk’s coalition – which has now been hit hard by the scandal.
Government agencies have tried to refute the accusations: the yacht purchase was designed to diversify business to attract tourists even during lockdowns; the place, known as a swingers club, was used to buy metalworking equipment, according to the operator. Nevertheless, Tusk declared “zero tolerance” for such excesses. The Finance Ministry plans to present the preliminary results of the audit in September.
This resentment is politically unfortunate: Tusk’s main coalition partner, Polska 2050, is already under pressure due to its own scandals – for example, its unsavory ties to PiS. The dispute with the opposition is escalating.
