Secretary’s Earnings Surge Amidst Association’s Decline
A close aide’s substantial salary increase has come under scrutiny as a prominent Polish political association, once backed by key figures, faces dissolution. This situation brings attention to financial matters within the political circles and raises questions about the organization’s management.
Secretary’s Income and Responsibilities
In 2020, Katarzyna Lubiak took over as secretary to Jarosław Kaczyński after the retirement of the late Barbara Skrzypek. Her affiliation with the PiS president dates back to the Centrum Agreement. Lubiak also serves in the Mazowieckie regional council representing Law and Justice since 2018. Her financial declarations reveal significant earnings in recent years.
The most recent financial document, filed for 2024, indicates that she earned 282,200 PLN, approximately 23,500 PLN per month, while working in the PiS office. Additionally, she made 36,000 PLN as a councilor and 10,500 PLN through her personal activities. In total, her income for 2024 was nearly 330,000 PLN.
Income Comparison
In 2023, Lubiak’s compensation in the PiS office amounted to 227,200 PLN. The year before, her earnings were 195,200 PLN, showing a steady increase.
Assets and Ownership
Lubiak has savings of 512,000 PLN, along with an additional 37,600 PLN in employee capital plans, and 451.60 euros. She is also a co-owner of a 182 sq m house, valued at approximately 600,000 PLN, located on an 846 sq m plot. Furthermore, she and her husband own two recreational plots.
Association’s Disarray
Lubiak also heads the White-and-Red Association, intended to support PiS with program and substantive contributions. Jarosław Kaczyński himself encouraged party members to contribute financially to this initiative, aiming to bring together experts rather than politicians.
“I am asking you to support the newly formed white and red association, which is to bring together experts, not politicians.”
—Jarosław Kaczyński
The association, however, appears to be failing. According to reports from late 2024, the organization began to collapse. Its vice president, PiS MP Krzysztof Szczucki, left the group. Financial irregularities and internal conflicts often lead to the downfall of such entities.
According to the OECD, public trust in political parties in Poland is at an all-time low, which is roughly 15% as of 2024 (OECD, 2024).
Failed Initiative
The event “Przystań Polska” in Pułtusk, intended as a response to Rafał Trzaskowski’s Campus Polska of the future, was canceled. Krzysztof Szczucki had conceptualized the event, but as sources indicate, Lubiak took control of the project, which subsequently failed. “She could not manage the Association of White and Reds,” according to reports.
Internal party disputes contributed to the situation. Lubiak did not get along with Szczucki, leading to conflicts, and she took his responsibilities.
