President Karol Nawrocki’s closed National Security Council meeting sparked criticism after journalists were barred following his speech.
Controversial Council Session
President Karol Nawrocki convened the National Security Council to discuss the SAFE program, the Peace Council, and investigations into “eastern social-business contacts” of Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty. After delivering a speech, Nawrocki excluded journalists from the closed portion of the meeting, drawing criticism on social media.
Political Reactions
Politicians from various parties commented on the situation. KO MP Jerzy Meysztowicz wrote, “Nawrocki said what he knew, then closed the media out of the session. There’s fear in the Palace before the answers and very likely questions the government side will ask Nawrocki today.” MEP Łukasz Kohut noted that while historian Sławomir Cenckiewicz was present, he doesn’t have access to classified information.
Journalist Criticism
Journalists also weighed in. “Gazeta Wyborcza” and TOK FM’s Dominika Wielowieyska wrote, “The Presidential Palace was clever. Since the Cabinet Council went poorly because Prime Minister Donald Tusk somewhat dominated President Karol Nawrocki, now they’ve turned to the National Security Council in a version safe for the Presidential Palace: only the president spoke, but in the open part, he didn’t allow guests to speak.” “Newsweek’s” Dominika Długosz wrote ironically, “Oh, they managed to plan it so that no one but the president would speak publicly. That’s a success.”
Calls for Czarzasty’s Resignation
Right-wing politicians focused on allegations against Włodzimierz Czarzasty. Mariusz Kamiński wrote, “Very good speech by President Karol Nawrocki at the NSC and a clear explanation of why the Council must address the marshal’s connections. In the face of threats, with a war on our border, all doubts and ties with Russia must be taken seriously. Mr. Czarzasty, you should submit to verification or resign.” Presidential advisor Błażej Poboży wrote, “After what the Marshal heard from the President at the National Security Council, he should stand up, apologize to all citizens, and return to his office to fill out the Personal Security Questionnaire. That’s what high standards and our security require.”
SAFE Program Controversy
During his speech, Nawrocki criticized the SAFE program and announced his proposed amendments to the government’s bill. “Gazeta Wyborcza” deputy editor-in-chief Bartosz T. Wieliński wrote, “I understand Nawrocki’s words to mean that the president and PiS want to take control over the implementation of the SAFE program in Poland and get their hands on 200 billion zł.” Confederation’s Stanisław Tyszka praised the president’s stance on revealing a list of 139 SAFE projects. Sejm Vice-Marshal Dorota Niedziela wrote, “For President Nawrocki, the SAFE program is a problem. He also focuses on personal jabs. I’m missing concern for security, action, and looking to Poland’s future. This is how a meeting of the National Security Council convened by the head of state should look. And yet it doesn’t.”