Supreme Audit Institutions express concerns regarding developments in Poland
The Contact Committee of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the EU has issued a statement expressing its concerns regarding developments at the supreme audit institution of Poland (NIK). The Contact Committee is the assembly of the heads of supreme audit institutions of EU member states and the European Court of Auditors.
The Contact Committee notes that NIK has reported difficulties in carrying out its constitutional mandate. The Polish parliament has failed to fill vacancies on NIK’s College. Furthermore, obstacles have been placed on NIK’s audit of state-owned companies in Poland.
International standards require SAIs to be independent of government in the performance of their statutory audit mandate. The obstacles facing NIK also contravene the fundamental values underpinning the European Union.