Polish finance minister blocks enforcement of Gazprom's 174.5 million PLN fine
Andrzej Domański's Ministry of Finance sided with a regional tax office, preventing UOKiK from collecting a court-ordered 174.5 million PLN penalty from the Russian gas giant.
Background of the fine
In 2020, UOKiK imposed a fine of nearly 213 million PLN (50 million euros) on Gazprom for refusing to cooperate in an investigation into the financing of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Gazprom appealed, and in summer 2024 the Court of Competition and Consumer Protection (SOKiK) upheld the decision but reduced the fine to 174.5 million PLN (40 million euros). The ruling became final, but Gazprom ignored it.
Enforcement blocked
UOKiK sought to collect the fine from Gazprom's frozen shares in EuRoPolGaz. The Warsaw-Śródmieście tax office agreed that enforcement was legal. However, the Dolnośląski Urząd Celno-Skarbowy (DUCS) in Wrocław, responsible for sanctions and frozen assets, refused to release the funds, arguing that doing so would indirectly return frozen money to Gazprom. The dispute was referred to Finance Minister Andrzej Domański, who sided with DUCS, effectively blocking the collection.
- UOKiK imposes 213 million PLN fine on Gazprom for non-cooperation in Nord Stream 2 investigation.
- Court reduces fine to 174.5 million PLN, upholds decision.
- Finance ministry blocks enforcement, citing frozen assets interpretation.
Political criticism
Former deputy minister of state assets Janusz Kowalski called the decision a scandal.
He added that the government's anti-Russian rhetoric does not match its actions.Minister Domański prefers that Gazprom's money lies in a frozen account, from which it cannot be used today, rather than 180 million zlotys working for the Polish economy. This is absurd.
Kowalski, now a member of the parliamentary public finance committee, said he would enter the ministry to demand explanations.At Gazprom, champagne corks are popping.
UOKiK's response
UOKiK president Tomasz Chróstny strongly criticized the decision.
He said UOKiK would analyze further legal steps to protect the state's interests.It is difficult to accept a decision that may hinder or even prevent the recovery of over 174 million PLN legally owed to the state treasury. This is especially incomprehensible in a case concerning Russian Gazprom, an entity used for years by the Russian Federation to pursue its strategic interests.
Expert opinion
Tax advisor Radosław Żuk argued that DUCS's position is based on a fundamental error in interpreting the law.
He said the catalog of legal acts cited by DUCS does not support blocking the collection.Enforcement of the legally imposed fine of 174.5 million PLN will not cause that money to 'go to the Russians'.
