Polish ruling party wants commission to investigate Russian influence; critics fear witch hunt

By VANESSA GERA
Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s ruling party is pushing for the creation of a commission which it says would investigate Russian influence in Poland. Critics view it as an attempt to create a powerful and unconstitutional tool that would help the party continue to wield power even if it loses elections this fall. A parliament commission recommended Wednesday the bill be rejected. Some argue that the ruling party could use the planned commission to eliminate opposition leader Donald Tusk from political life. Tusk is considered the greatest rival of the ruling party, Law and Justice, as it seeks a third consecutive term in the vote expected in October. The bill foresees the creation of a state commission with the powers of prosecutor and judge.