Tusk Claims $25 Billion in Illegal Spending by Past Polish Government

— Prime Minister Donald Tusk has leveled serious accusations against the previous government, claiming it illegally spent 100 billion Polish zlotys (approximately $25 billion). During a press conference on Friday, Tusk announced a government initiative aimed at recovering these funds, citing six months of investigations that uncovered extensive financial misconduct. So far, 62 individuals from the former ruling elite have been charged in connection with these abuses. Tusk, who leads a centrist coalition that came to power in December after eight years of governance by the national conservative Law and Justice party, emphasized the importance of restoring democratic standards in Poland. His administration has been vocal about the previous government's alleged erosion of democracy, which drew criticism from the European Union. Reports during Law and Justice's tenure highlighted issues of nepotism and corruption, including the misallocation of state funds to party affiliates. At the news conference, Tusk was joined by the heads of the interior, justice, and finance ministries, who signed an agreement to enhance coordination in efforts to secure and recover the misappropriated state assets. Tusk remarked that this marked a historic moment for Poland, as it was the first time former officials were held accountable in such a swift and effective manner. In response, Tusk's predecessor, Mateusz Morawiecki, accused him of disseminating falsehoods intended to damage the reputation of Law and Justice, which remains the largest opposition party in the country.