FM tells president Polish gov't will not allow for leaving EU
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has told President Karol Nawrocki that the Polish government will not allow for leaving the EU, accusing the president of preparing a psychological and political foundation for a Polexit.
In his Wednesday speech in the Sejm, the lower house of parliament, Sikorski outlined the Polish government's diplomatic response to the recent acts of railway sabotage for which Warsaw blames Moscow.
However, the pro-EU foreign minister also used the opportunity to address the right-wing Nawrocki, who was present in the lower house, in the context of the latter's recent anti-EU rhetoric.
"Our government will not allow for a Polexit," Sikorski said, adding that the EU, like any other organisation, can be criticised, but the critical comments should be differentiated into ones "that aim to improve the subject of criticism and ones that aim to discredit and destroy it."
"I encourage you to do the former, and even to propose solutions," he said, addressing Nawrocki. "But by insinuating that European integration is a conspiracy against Poland, you are not helping either the EU or Poland. You are preparing the psychological and political ground for leaving the EU, for Polexit. If this is what you and the right wing of the chamber want to achieve, for reasons known only to you, then say so clearly, instead of making up threats to sovereignty."
Sikorski recalled that on Poland's Independence Day Nawrocki "did not find time to mention the Russian aggression and the bombing of Kyiv," but was ready to claim that "a part of Polish politicians are ready to give away Polish freedom, independence and sovereignty, piece by piece, to foreign institutions, tribunals and foreign agendas of the European Union," a direct quote from Nawrocki's November 11 speech.
"Unfortunately, they were not just words," Sikorski continued. "The next day the president refused to promote 46 judges because they dared to refer to the European Union law." Sikorski was describing Nawrocki's unprecedented refusal to appoint the judges, which was usually a formality.
The foreign minister called Nawrocki's words and actions "not only offensive, but also dangerous."
Sikorski also urged the president, whom he accused of following a nationalist agenda, to represent the government when it comes to Poland's foreign policy, as stipulated in the country's constitution.
Nawrocki is supported by Poland's main opposition party, the socially-conservative Law and Justice (PiS), whose government in 2015-2023 was in constant conflict with the European Union over the rule of law. In the final years of PiS government, its top officials hardly ever expressed any positive opinions about the EU, instead criticising the bloc as bureaucratic and trying to take away Poland's sovereignty. (PAP)
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