“It is hard to sense real goodwill from the European Commission toward Poland,” Beata Szydło, former Prime Minister and PiS MEP since 2019, said in an interview on Radio Plus.
Will Prime Minister Szydło participate in Sejm elections?
In the interview, she addressed potential involvement in parliamentary elections.
All PiS members and many politicians will be deeply engaged in the campaign and will spare no effort to secure victory. For Szydło, it is crucial that her political group wins these elections, she stated.
At present she holds the mandate of a Member of the European Parliament. She stressed that there are numerous important issues on the European stage affecting Poland now, and she is focused on that work. Yet she affirmed that everyone will participate in the election campaign and will support the party.
The timing for decisions about how lists will be formed has not arrived yet. Such choices will mainly rest with party leadership. For now, the focus is on urgent matters in the EU arena, the attitude of the European Commission and the European Parliament, and the many challenges facing Poland.
These decisions lie ahead, but she pledged wholehearted support for PiS in the parliamentary elections.
“The world has finally understood that defeating Putin ensures peace.”
Speaking on Ukraine support, Beata Szydło noted a shift in the EU’s approach.
Until recently, the European Union’s stance in this conflict differed. Now optimism is rising.
She highlighted a debate in the European Parliament on Ukraine aid and pointed to the hopeful words of top EU figures like Josep Borrell and Ursula von der Leyen, which she described as optimistic.
Parliamentary representatives from most political groups underscored the need for military assistance. For now, commitments and declarations are the framework, but this was not the case a few months earlier.
She observed that the world has come to understand that defeating Putin is key to lasting peace in Europe, and she noted the United States plays a major role by backing Ukraine.
She also answered a question about U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Poland.
President Biden signals that Poland is a pivotal ally in Ukraine support. The visit could mark a breakthrough and demonstrate a strong determination to aid Ukraine, she said.
“Work, humility, moderation.”
The question was raised whether PiS still follows the motto “work, humility, moderation.”
For Szydło, that motto remains meaningful and defines her political commitment. She believes it should guide not only PiS but every governing team.
She added that mistakes happen in politics, and while changes and apologies are sometimes necessary, decisions must be re-evaluated and better solutions sought when warranted.
She emphasized the importance of direct engagement with Polish citizens, noting frequent meetings and conversations that reveal a continued need for dialogue. There are no good politicians who forget who gave them their mandate. Continuous verification of actions is essential, and corrective steps must follow when wrong decisions occur.
The discussion then touched on the National Center for Research and Development. Though the topic was shocking, she said, conclusions were drawn and those responsible faced consequences. In politics, as in life, mistakes happen, but decisive, quick responses are required, and fixes must be implemented.
She stressed that mistakes cannot be avoided by any government, and while regretting some past actions, the aim is to move forward rather than dwell on past errors.
The dialogue also touched on the broader political landscape, including how opposition criticism shapes public perception. Listening to all sides and presenting a balanced view are crucial, she argued, and a one-sided narrative does not help the Polish public.
“The European Commission allowed the opposition to get involved in a political game.”
Beata Szydło responded to questions about the dispute between Poland and the European Commission.
There are signs that the Commission is employing a broad range of measures to influence Poland, driven in part by opposition activity aimed at changing electoral outcomes. She suggested that the government has shown willingness to compromise in discussions with the Commission, but its decisions often fail to satisfy the Commission’s growing expectations.
She avoided making outward statements that could be interpreted as public accusations.
Explaining the government’s handling of the process, she noted the prime minister bears responsibility for government functioning and decision-making. Negotiations require readiness from both sides to reach a compromise, and the Polish side remains committed, while she argued that the Commission sometimes lacks political will.
These tensions are framed by political disputes with the opposition, she said. The EC’s stance, she argued, reflects broader political tensions and past mechanisms like the rule of law funding. It remains a complex situation, with ongoing debate about whether the outcome will eventually align with EU expectations.
She concluded that Poland must continue to pursue a pragmatic path that satisfies EU partners while defending national interests, and that every party involved should stay accountable for their roles in the process.