Sikorski Blasts Nawrocki’s “Suicidal Tactics” and Rejects Presidential Overreach

Speaking on Polish Radio on Thursday, August 6, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski sharply criticized President Karol Nawrocki’s governance strategy and dismissed the presidential camp’s political maneuvers.

Sikorski Criticizes Presidential Tactics

Speaking on Thursday, August 6, on Polish Radio’s “Jedynka,” Sikorski stated he wished the president would work for Poland rather than focus on expanding his powers and creating an unrealistic presidential system. He warned that such a path would only lead to failure if the president spitefully vetoed legislation and treated the government maliciously.

Clash Over Presidential Prerogatives

The Foreign Minister commented on statements by Rafał Leśkiewicz, spokesperson for the Chancellery of the President, who declared during a Tuesday press conference that the ruling authorities should keep their hands off the president’s prerogatives regarding the pardon of Piotr “Staruch” Staruchowicz. Sikorski responded by stating that the president must keep his hands off governing Poland, as that is the government’s role.

Frustration Over Ambassadorial Nominations

The politician evaluated that Karol Nawrocki’s first year in the presidency has been frustrating for him as foreign minister. Sikorski noted that Andrzej Duda—also from that political camp—signed 24 ambassadorial nominations, whereas Karol Nawrocki receives foreign ambassadors and their credentials while refusing to sign nominations or issue credentials to Polish ambassadors, intending to run Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel policy, which is not provided for in the constitution. He termed this a “suicidal tactic of the presidential camp.”

Supreme Administrative Court Ruling on PiS Subsidies

The Supreme Administrative Court on Wednesday, August 5, dismissed cassation appeals regarding grants and subsidies for Law and Justice (PiS). The Deputy Prime Minister remarked that as one PiS deputy minister stated, “stealing must be done according to procedures,” adding that if things were stolen not according to procedures here, that will be the resulting effect.

The aforementioned quote originated from Marcin Horała’s 2023 statement regarding awards in state-owned companies. The then-deputy minister of funds and regional policy stated on TVN24 that anyone who short of stole anything not according to procedures naturally has to return it.

Split Within Law and Justice

Journalist Agata Kondzińska asked Sikorski whether Mateusz Morawiecki will conquer the center with his “Rozwój Plus” initiative. The politician replied that Rozwój Plus started at the 7 percent level, and such new entities usually poll around 15 percent, meaning—as the French say—poor chances.

The Presidium of the PiS Political Committee banned its members from participating in political organizations, specifically the associations Rozwój Plus and Po pierwsze Polska. Politicians were required to submit statements confirming they do not belong to them under penalty of statutory consequences, including the loss of PiS membership, with the deadline expiring on July 23.

Rafał Bochenek reported on July 28 that the PiS Political Committee approved a list of 44 individuals who failed to submit on time or submitted in the wrong format the leadership-required statement of affiliation with Law and Justice. The committee subsequently forwarded a motion to the PiS disciplinary spokesperson to decide on further steps.

According to the statute, if the disciplinary spokesperson forwards the punishment motion to the Party Disciplinary Court, the body can impose a penalty, acquit, or discontinue the proceedings. If a penalty is issued, the politicians will have seven days from notification to appeal the decision.