The European Commission is under pressure as EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski stood firm on his stance, reiterating that he will not bow to political pressure from national governments within the European Union. He asserted that he would not act under coercion, reinforcing a key principle he says is embedded in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union that commissioners do not take instructions from member state governments. Speaking to Polsat News in response to calls for his resignation amid protests by farmers, Wojciechowski clarified his position while keeping a firm line about the independence of his office.
Wojciechowski referenced a speech by Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the Sejm, describing Kosiniak-Kamysz’s remarks as an accusation that the commissioner had united European and Polish farmers against the agricultural reform he proposed. The commissioner referred to Kosiniak-Kamysz’s call for his resignation and directed a clear message back to the deputy prime minister, stating that he would not accept any instructions from him. In the same exchange, Wojciechowski challenged Kosiniak-Kamysz to present at least one initiative from him as Commissioner for Agriculture that would not enjoy PSL support, highlighting tensions within Polish politics over EU policy directions.
Poland’s ruling party president Jarosław Kaczyński also weighed in, urging Wojciechowski to complete his mission and indicating he would raise the matter directly with him. Yet Kaczyński added uncertainty about whether the commissioner would remain in place, noting that he had no influence over Wojciechowski’s tenure as commissioner. The commissioner acknowledged the seriousness of Kaczyński’s concerns while maintaining his commitment to transparency, saying he would continue to present information about his activities in the European Commission without yielding to political pressure. He did not expect a decision regarding his possible dismissal on that particular day.
During the remarks, Wojciechowski suggested that some politicians possess limited understanding of his work both in the Commission and in the European Parliament. He also stated that he had not heard calls for his resignation from any agricultural organizations across Europe, emphasizing a distinction between the voices of politicians and the voices of farmers. The commissioner underscored this separation, highlighting a broader distinction within the agricultural policy debate that often features competing interests from national governments and farming groups across the continent.
In the broader context of EU agricultural policy, Wojciechowski’s stance reflects ongoing debates about reforms, the role of member states in shaping policy, and the balance between EU-level oversight and national concerns. The commissioner’s insistence on independence comes as European institutions navigate farmer protests, market dynamics, and the shared goal of ensuring a sustainable and equitable agricultural sector across the union. The discussions also illustrate how national political dynamics interact with EU reform efforts, sometimes fueling criticisms that EU officials are out of touch with real-world farming conditions while, at other times, underscoring the necessity of unified, EU-wide measures to stabilize the agriculture sector.
Analysts note that the tension between European autonomy and national government influence is a recurring theme in Brussels, especially on policy areas that directly affect farmers, land use, subsidies, and market regulation. The willingness of Wojciechowski to defend his approach while inviting constructive input from all stakeholders is positioned as a test of how EU governance can withstand domestic political pressure while continuing to pursue reform goals that require a level of centralized coordination and long-term planning.
The episode also raises questions about how futures decisions in Brussels will align with domestic political expectations in member states. For farmers, the outcome will hinge on how EU policy reforms translate into practical benefits and protections at the field level. For policymakers, the episode illustrates the ongoing challenge of reconciling diverse national interests under a framework designed to achieve common outcomes across a highly varied continental landscape.
— The European policy scene continues to unfold as officials negotiate the balance between mandate, independence, and accountability, with observers watching closely how leadership views evolving agricultural needs, market pressures, and the political dynamics within member states.