On November 19, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski berated President Maciej Nawrocki in the Sejm, provoking fierce backlash from MPs and media.
Sikorski’s Sejm Remarks
On November 19, Radosław Sikorski denounced President Maciej Nawrocki’s remarks at the Independence March, claiming “some Polish politicians are ready to hand over Poland’s freedom, independence and sovereignty to foreign institutions, courts and agencies of the European Union.” He reminded that “EU membership does not lead to loss of sovereignty; on the contrary, it helped us free ourselves from communist oppression.” He accused the EU of being a “blow” against Poland, urging a “psychological and political groundwork for an exit.”
Opposition MPs Voice Fury
Right‑wing MP Artur Łącki wrote that Sikorski “pointed at the president who attacked the EU on November 11,” repeating the message that allies are in the West, enemies in the East. TVN reporter Katarzyna Kolenda‑Zaleska echoed the claim that “Sikorski does not take hostages.”
Right‑wing MPs Call Out Emotional Displays
Euro‑MP Kamila Gasiuk‑Pihowicz accused Sikorski of speaking in an anti‑EU spirit, saying “he represents only his own office, not Poland’s.” She praised him for defending Poland against “anti‑European nationalists and Russian disinformation.”
PiS MPs Accuse Sikorski of Compromise
PiS PP Piotr “Szymon” Szynkowski called the speech “unacceptable, anti‑state” and noted that it “undermines cooperation in security matters.” Other PiS MPs, including Andrzej Śliwka, Radosław Fogiel and Sebastian Kaleta, portrayed Sikorski as acting with emotions, alleging “disruption” and “duress,” demanding that the president exercise caution over the EU.
Broader Political Analysis
EU officials and domestic analysts warned that the incident could hinder Poland’s cooperation on security issues. Some commentators described the speech as a “political attack” that could divert attention from the government’s actions amid hybrid attacks on infrastructure. The controversies highlight growing divisions over Poland’s relationship with the EU and the direction of national policy.
