Stories have already echoed that Ewa Kopacz’s government planned a project akin to 500+. Yet with elections looming and not enough material to rally behind, Donald Tusk chose to talk about the Vistula Spit digging project instead. He claimed the plan was adopted in 2014 and that the excavation and the Elbląg port should have been finished by 2020, noting that ships should have docked there three years earlier. The judgment of the claims was bluntly labeled as ridiculous.
Tusk in Elbląg
On Thursday, Tusk met the residents of Elbląg and spoke about the Vistula Spit trench and the access the port would gain for large ships.
The speaker framed the port and the digging as a test of truthfulness, reliability, and fairness in dialogue and decision-making. He recalled the cautious start of the idea, the rise of opposing voices over costs, ecological concerns, and fears of unnecessary competition for other ports. He praised Elbląg’s arguments for their consistency, patience, and fairness.
“— Tusk addressed the people of Elbląg.”
He acknowledged long discussions that were not mere rallies meant to show off fleeting support, insisting that the project was adopted in 2014 and that the deepening and the port should have been ready by 2020. He argued that Elbląg would have earned revenue from the port for three years, independent of any political party’s agenda.
“— the tone from Tusk raised,”
He also criticized what he described as a propaganda push around the excavation issue. He highlighted how Elbląg’s residents and their efforts deserved recognition and how the project was a national investment not confined to any single party line.
He spoke of a concrete trench that could be completed, the removal of a 900-meter section, and the need for the state to finish the road access to the port, recognizing Elbląg’s substantial financial commitment to its own port. He questioned motives and suggested that a petty display or a delayed completion would not serve the people of Elbląg.
“— the message was that the issue should be resolved in the broader interest of the people rather than as a political stunt.”
He asserted that the matter reflected the broader approach of the ruling party, contrasting it with what he described as a more people-centered philosophy. The possibility of achieving European funding depended on whether the project could be completed with proper oversight and support.
“— a balanced view was offered,”
He warned that progress depended on genuine commitment rather than selective gains and emphasized that the port’s development required careful planning and accountability within state structures.
In his remarks, he suggested that the discussions should be guided by a sense of the common good and urged supporters to remain focused on the long-term benefits for Elbląg and its residents, rather than short-term political wins.
He argued for a transparent evaluation of the project, noting that the state bears responsibility for road access to the port and urging a fair assessment of the costs and benefits. The residents had invested a significant amount in the port, and resilience and steady progress were presented as essential to ensuring lasting development.
He framed the issue as a test of whether the political leadership would deliver on promises or retreat when confronted with challenges, insisting that true progress would come from a consistent, well-planned effort rather than grandiose speeches in a campaign setting.
“— the overall takeaway,”
Future steps, he suggested, should be guided by the needs of Elbląg and its people, including proper funding, practical infrastructure improvements, and a clear timeline. He warned against turning the project into a political weapon, stating that the goal was real, measurable progress that would benefit the port and the wider region.
Przekop and Elbląg
The Vistula Spit trench project began in September of the previous year and has since become a point of contention between the ministries of assets and infrastructure and the local Elbląg authorities over who should deepen an 800-meter waterway that directly connects to the Elbląg port. The local government and the port manager believe the Ministry of Finance and the Maritime Office in Gdynia should handle the deeper work, while the national government and the Maritime Office in Gdynia contend that this task falls to the port management, a municipal company at present.
Earlier this year, the Ministries of Infrastructure and State Properties proposed recapitalizing the port’s municipal management company with up to 100 million PLN in exchange for a controlling stake, aiming to subsidize necessary development investments. A spokesperson later confirmed that the plan remained under consideration, signaling continued debate about funding and control.
The total canal length from the Gulf of Gdańsk through the Vistula Lagoon to Elbląg spans nearly 23 kilometers. This includes just over 10 kilometers through the Lagoon, over 10 kilometers along the Elbląg River, and an additional roughly 2.5 kilometers featuring a lock, outer harbor, and mooring. The canal and waterway were planned to reach a depth of five meters, enabling deeper dock access. The discussions and plans reflect the broader questions about infrastructure, public investment, and regional growth in Poland.
Additional analysis indicated that Tusk’s remarks were part of a broader debate about how to present and pursue development projects and how to interpret the role of government in delivering long-term public benefits.
Source material and commentary on these developments have circulated through various outlets, with ongoing discourse about what constitutes truthful reporting and practical policy execution.