Speaker of Poland’s parliament resigns after taking family on government flights

 

The speaker of Poland’s parliament is to resign in a bid to quell a burgeoning scandal over the use of government jets, just two months before the central European country holds a crucial election.

Marek Kuchcinski, a senior member of the ruling Law and Justice party, has been under pressure since it emerged last month that he had been accompanied on the government’s jet by family members on multiple occasions.

With elections set for October, the affair has embarrassed the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has said it is cleaning up an alleged legacy of corruption and communist influence tolerated by previous governments.

Kuchcinski will formalize the resignation today, three days after the speaker apologised for using a government Gulfstream jet for 23 flights with his family.

A poll published by Super Express tabloid on Thursday showed that almost two-third of Poles wanted Kuchcinski gone. Local media speculated that his deputy Ryszard Terlecki, another senior PiS politician, will take over as speaker.

Via Reuters / Financial Times