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Polish MPs in bid to oust central bank chief

26.03.2024 16:30
Polish lawmakers on Tuesday initiated an effort to oust the country's central bank governor amid criticism of his policies.
Polish central bank chief Adam Glapiński.
Polish central bank chief Adam Glapiński.Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak

"A motion was submitted to the parliamentary Speaker to bring the governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), Adam Glapiński, before the State Tribunal," said Zbigniew Konwiński, an MP with the Civic Coalition (KO), the senior partner in the coalition government.

He told reporters that the motion had been signed by 191 members of the Sejm, Poland's 460-seat lower house of parliament.

The unprecedented move sets in motion a process that could ultimately result in Glapiński being removed from office, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

The effort is part of a broader drive by the government of liberal Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former top European official, to bring to account those it accuses of wrongdoing under the previous right-wing administration, according to a report by the Reuters news agency.

The charges facing Glapiński include lacking independence from the previous government, breaking constitutional rules that prevent the central bank from financing government borrowing, and misleading the finance ministry about the bank's financial results.

But attempting to remove Glapiński is a potentially risky move, according to Reuters.

Christine Lagarde, head of the European Central Bank, has told Glapiński in a letter that he could refer any such move to the EU's top court as it might affect the independence of the central bank, Reuters reported.

Glapiński, whose term ends in 2028, has denied accusations of political bias.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters