Poll: Half of Poles believe Radosław Piesiewicz's watch affair damages PiS

A significant majority of Poles, over 50%, believe that the controversy surrounding a luxury watch allegedly received by PKOl president Radosław Piesiewicz harms the image of the Law and Justice (PiS) party. This sentiment comes from a recent SW Research poll conducted for rp.pl.

Piesiewicz was arrested on August 27 in Warsaw as part of an investigation into the Zondacrypto cryptocurrency exchange. The exchange ceased operations earlier this year, reportedly causing losses exceeding 350 million Polish zlotys for its clients. The investigation is being handled by the Katowice branch of the National Prosecutor's Office.

Reports suggest that Piesiewicz received a Patek Philippe watch, valued at 40,000 euros, in November 2025. This alleged gift was reportedly a thank-you for a promised intervention with former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and UOKiK president Tomasz Chróstny. The intervention was allegedly related to the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection's (UOKiK) scrutiny of Zondacrypto's activities, including letters sent to companies involved in advertising the exchange.

Both Morawiecki and Chróstny have denied any contact with Piesiewicz regarding this matter. Piesiewicz himself claims he repaid Kral for the watch in installments and that Kral merely acted as an intermediary in the purchase. Piesiewicz, who became PKOl president in 2023 under the PiS government, has reportedly come into conflict with the new Minister of Sport, Sławomir Nitras, since the change in government.

Meanwhile, Przemysław Kral has reportedly begun cooperating with the National Prosecutor's Office, with Roman Giertych serving as his attorney. Kral is seeking "minor witness" status and has begun providing testimony. The Prosecutor General's office announced a "significant breakthrough" in the Zondacrypto investigation, verifying information about potential financial benefits received by Piesiewicz.