It was stated that there is a possibility of rotating the chairmanship of the Sejm. PO spokesperson Jan Grabiec expressed on TVN24 that this option could be included in the coalition agreement, which would outline the course of action rather than a full program. He also noted that the new government’s diplomacy would be capable of presenting concrete claims regarding war losses and securing specific sums when questioned on Radio Plus about efforts to obtain reparations from Germany.
Grabiec: Talks nearing completion
Grabiec emphasized that the future government, created by the current opposition, must align with parliamentary norms while operating as a cooperative, multi-party administration. He stressed that the aim is not domination, acknowledging there would be challenging times and that a four-party coalition must function effectively.
He indicated the coalition discussions were approaching their final stage, with conversations progressing smoothly and no major hurdles in sight. He mentioned a coalition framework that would address all essential issues.
Which form of coalition agreement?
He suggested that a formal, detailed coalition agreement might not be produced, even though extensive discussions are underway about the initial government program. Instead, a guiding statement of conduct could prevail, reflecting a universal approach to action.
When asked about whether the President of the Sejm would rotate or be permanent, Grabiec admitted that rotation concepts currently used in the European Parliament appeared sensible.
If four groups form the coalition, he said, compromises could be part of the arrangements and rotation remained a possibility—an option among others. The final decision would rest with the coalition leaders.
Could Kidawa-Błońska become Senate President?
Regarding whether Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska would assume the role of Senate President, Grabiec stated that no decision had been made. He noted that Donald Tusk has shown interest in expanding women’s participation in the power structure, but the exact person and timing would become clearer in the coming days.
Grabiec added that important ministries would be allocated among all coalition partners. He acknowledged that initial expectations included three deputy prime ministers from different coalition parties, but noted that partner expectations could differ. He affirmed openness to partners’ preferences.
He also said that on November 14 the new government would be ready to take office.
What about reparations?
Asked whether the new government would pursue Germany’s reparations, Grabiec explained that he was not aware of any action taken by the current opposition government on this matter. He pointed out that PiS politicians previously spoke about reparations in Poland, but any outreach abroad occurred only sporadically and often in silence. A note was sent after continued insistence, according to his account, to press Poland’s demand for reparations and the actions taken thereafter.
He added that the government would explore ways for Germany to contribute to Poland’s development beyond EU funding, noting that Germany is a net contributor to the EU and Poland benefits from that arrangement. He claimed that under PiS governance, Poland supported Germany financially through EU funds while Poland’s own debt obligations persisted.
Grabiec also commented on the likelihood of the new government being more effective in pressing reparations, suggesting that it could make concrete claims and secure specific amounts, potentially more efficiently than the previous administration. He pointed to a September report detailing Poland’s losses due to German aggression and occupation in World War II, and to a diplomatic note signed in October last year with a request for compensation. Poland’s demands reportedly include material and intangible losses, with figures cited in the trillions of PLN range.
On January 3 this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs had responded to the note. Germany reportedly maintained that the reparations issue had been closed and did not intend to negotiate further.
These developments come amid ongoing discussions and reflections within the opposition about Poland’s stance on war reparations and the broader strategy for European relations. The situation remains dynamic, with the coalition partners weighing options and seeking to present a unified approach in the weeks ahead.