President Karol Nawrocki has consented to the appointment of 78 SKW soldiers and officers, following a six-month pause and criticism from Prime Minister Tusk.
President Approves Delayed Nominations
President of Poland, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Karol Nawrocki, has approved the appointment to the first officer rank (lieutenant) of 78 soldiers and officers of the SKW, following a request from the Minister of National Defense. The Presidential Decree will be issued after countersignature by the Prime Minister.
Nawrocki’s approval came after approximately six months of consideration.
Siemoniak Highlights Six-Month Delay
On March 18th, Minister Coordinator of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak reminded that six months have passed since the President last signed officer nominations for ABW and SKW. Siemoniak emphasized these are personnel responsible for national security, risking their lives and health.
He noted that the requests were submitted twice, and the lack of a signature paralyzes the services and negatively impacts morale. Siemoniak assessed that the stagnation also negatively affects Poland’s security, similar to the veto regarding the SAFE matter, stating, “Nothing justifies such anti-state actions.”
Tusk Criticizes Nawrocki’s Actions
On November 7th, Donald Tusk published a recording on X stating that he was to participate in the promotion of 136 Polish men and women from SKW and ABW to the first officer rank. He explained that applications of this type flow to the Presidential Chancellery before November 11th.
Tusk stated these young people, after studies and officer courses, are patriots who were awaiting their first officer ranks, along with their families. He expressed dismay that the promotion would not occur, attributing it to the President’s ongoing conflict with the Polish government.
President Cites Lack of Access to Information
The President responded to the Prime Minister, claiming that the heads of special services are forbidden from meeting with him, depriving him of “access to the most important information about the state’s security.”
Nawrocki reported that four meetings with the heads of special services were canceled, where key issues for Poland’s security were to be discussed and decisions regarding officer nominations were to be made. He asserted that state interests were confused with party interests, which he would not consent to.