Janusz Cisek: wikipedia
Tusk stated that Cisek resigned owing to personal reasons, and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has revealed that the Cisek is currently in hospital with “a serious illness,” as cited by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
However, Tusk acknowledged that allegations of nepotism had cast a shadow over the outgoing minister's position.
Janusz Cisek was responsible for relations with the 20 million strong Polish diaspora, known as Polonia.
In one particular case, grants to the level of 1.4 million zloty (337,240 euro) were due to be awarded to a foundation helping ethnic Poles in Poland's former eastern territories.
However, although the decision was taken by a competition jury theoretically independent of the Foreign Ministry, allegations later emerged that two members of Cisek's staff had close ties to the foundation in question (one of his assistants was married to a member of the foundation).
Both members of staff have since lost their jobs, and the grants will not be awarded.
Speaking at a press conference, Prime Minister Tusk insisted that no money had been improperly issued, but that there was “ambiguity” owing to “excessive familiarity”, as cited by PAP.
Earlier this month, conservative opposition party Law and Justice filed a complaint on the matter to Poland's Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA).
Sikorski: Polonia programme developing
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told the Senate yesterday that his ministry's handling of matters concerning Polonia is developing in a positive direction.
Last year, the foreign ministry took over responsibility for a large part of the state budget for Polonia from the Senate.
“No one has the slightest plans to end support for our people [abroad], on the contrary - we will support them, and at the same time encourage even more activity for the benefit of our country, so that ultimately the Polish taxpayer benefits from this,” he said.
Sikorski added that “allegations about a growing number of rejected projects” were misleading, as the number of applications had doubled over the last year, and so many projects had to be rejected, owing to funding limits.
Last year, 2030 projects were realised, at the cost of 24 million zloty (5.78 million euro). (nh)