Party members are distancing themselves from allegations by maverick Civic Platform (PO) MP Janusz Palikot, alleging that Polish president, Lech Kaczynski, has an alcohol problem.
“Does President Lech Kaczynski abuse alcohol?,” writes Palikot on his blog. “Is it true that his visits at hospital have something to do with detoxification.”
Members of kaczynski’s Law and Justice party have reacted angrily to the allegations, but even members from Palikot’s own party feel that the MP has gone too far.
PO MP Rafał Grupinski told Polish Radio 1 Monday morning that Palikot, having raised the question on the president’s alcohol problem, had overstepped certain boundaries and undermined the head of state’s authority.
Grupinski said that Janusz Palikot had too little evidence to feel entitled to ask such questions.
Justice minister Zbigniew Cwiakalski, also from PO, has told Radio Zet that proceedings against Palikot will be instigated if President Kaczyński wishes so. (mj)