Polish MP Janusz Kowalski accused of using colleague's voting card during Sejm session, prosecutor opens inquiry
During Friday's Sejm session, minister Krzysztof Paszyk accused independent MP Janusz Kowalski of taking and using the voting card of MP Jarosław Rzepa. Kowalski admitted the mistake, while the Warsaw prosecutor's office launched verification proceedings.
The accusation
On 3 July 2026, during the 61st session of the Sejm, a heated exchange erupted after Krzysztof Paszyk, the minister of development and technology and head of the PSL parliamentary club, took the rostrum to level a serious charge. He stated that independent MP Janusz Kowalski had taken the voting card belonging to Jarosław Rzepa, a PSL deputy, and then used it to cast votes.
A serious crime has just been committed in this chamber. MP Janusz Kowalski not only deprived MP Jarosław Rzepa of his card, but we also suspect that he used that card to vote. So I am reporting this matter.
Paszyk announced that his club would file a notification with the prosecutor's office and refer the case to the Sejm Ethics Committee. The incident occurred during votes on amendments to the government's bill on personal investment accounts, though the session also covered nuclear energy investments and a ban on mobile phones in schools from 1 September 2026.
Kowalski's response
Janusz Kowalski approached the rostrum immediately after the accusation, but Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty initially declined to give him the floor. Later, Kowalski was allowed to speak and did not deny the facts. He described the event as a simple mistake.
I formally report that in votes number 9 and 10 I mistakenly used a different card than my own. Sometimes it happens.
Kowalski requested a re-vote under Article 189 of the Sejm's rules of procedure, should any doubts remain. He later posted a letter on social media addressed to the Marshal, repeating the request for a reasumpcja and explaining that he had been convinced he was taking his own card when leaving his seat to submit a formal motion.
Prosecutor steps in
The Warsaw Śródmieście District Prosecutor's Office confirmed the same day that it is conducting verification activities concerning the use of another MP's voting card during the Sejm session. The proceedings are based on Article 231 §1 of the Penal Code, which covers abuse of power by a public official.
Marshal Czarzasty addressed the chamber after Kowalski's statement, warning that consequences would follow.
Mr MP, the consequences in this matter will be drawn by the appropriate services and perhaps the prosecutor's office.
Political context
Janusz Kowalski has been an independent MP since the end of April 2026, when he left the Law and Justice (PiS) parliamentary club, citing local political arrangements that he could no longer tolerate. The voting card incident drew immediate reactions from other MPs. Adrian Witczak of the Civic Coalition wrote on X that the matter required clarification and assessment under both procedural rules and potential criminal liability. Roman Giertych also commented on the affair, though his remarks were not detailed in the session coverage.
The vote in question involved 421 MPs. Vote number 9 concerned a motion for a break in proceedings, which the Sejm ultimately rejected.
- Krzysztof Paszyk accuses Janusz Kowalski from the Sejm rostrum of taking and using MP Jarosław Rzepa's voting card.
- Kowalski admits using the wrong card in votes 9 and 10, calls it a mistake, and requests a re-vote.
- Warsaw Śródmieście District Prosecutor's Office confirms verification activities under Article 231 §1 of the Penal Code.
- Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty warns that consequences will be drawn by appropriate services and possibly the prosecutor.
