2023-06-01 20:33 update: 2023-06-03, 13:58
Photo PAP/Andrzej Lange
Zbigniew Rau, Poland's foreign minister, has defended a law establishing a commission that will investigate alleged Russian influence on Poland's internal security, telling his US counterpart that it places no limits on who can stand for election.
Andrzej Duda, the Polish president, signed into law legislation setting up a commission on Monday, while also sending it to the country's Constitutional Tribunal.
The law came into effect on Wednesday, and caused a storm of controversy, attracting criticism from the EU and the US, a key Polish ally, which expressed fears it might interfere with free and fair elections in Poland.
Zbigniew Rau, Poland's foreign minister, said he had held a meeting with Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, which was dominated by the Russia commission, on the side-lines of a Nato conference in Oslo.
Speaking to journalists, Rau said: "I pointed out that the act in no way limits anyone's electoral rights, either active or passive."
Rau added that Blinken was pleased with the explanation and promised to look into the matter thoroughly.
The commission will have the power to waive an administrative decision it deems was made under Russian influence, and in the case of people making such decisions issue a ban of up to 10 years from holding a public office that involves public funds. (PAP)
