None can dictate how Poland should steer its European policy. None can insist that Europe must be expanded to satisfy outsiders, because Europe is already strong and influential. This was the message delivered by Szymon Hołownia, the Marshal of the Sejm and a presidential candidate, during a discussion that also touched on the relationship with the United States and the stance toward JD Vance. The remarks underscored a insistence on self direction in European affairs, challenging critics who would urge a top-down approach from abroad.
Hołownia hits Vance
During a public gathering in Tarnów in the Lesser Poland region, Hołownia argued that Poland’s raison d etat rests on a robust Europe, a thriving Polish economy, and a cooling of domestic frictions that distract from national priorities. He framed these goals as a daily responsibility, not a seasonal tactic, and urged residents to view strength at home as the essential platform for Poland’s influence abroad.
He stressed that Poland must invest in itself with urgency. He noted that even the best plans can look impressive on paper, yet the old Polish wisdom about relying on one's own strength can prove indispensable again when tests arise. The message was a call to practical action over grandiloquent promises.
Hołownia pointed to these ideas as a guiding thread for national policy. He connected fiscal discipline, social cohesion, and a realistic foreign policy to a broader aim of ensuring Poland remains a reliable partner to its allies while not surrendering its own priorities to external pressure.
He warned against a complacent optimism that Washington can easily coax Moscow into a gentler stance and that war in the region will fade from headlines. He argued that those who celebrate a cooled relationship with Russia while ignoring the continued conflict are either naive or complicit in perilous calculations. The call was for sober judgment about risks, costs, and the long arc of security in Europe.
Hołownia then articulated a clear expectation: Poland must act with the full weight of its strengths to become the conscience of Europe and, more broadly, of the world. This is not rhetoric for a campaign stage but a proposed standard for policy and action that would shape European and global stability for years to come.
In his own words, the argument rests on a consistent vision of national purpose. The emphasis was on responsibility, not bravado, and on translating historical experience into concrete policy that serves both Polish citizens and international partners. The idea was to anchor Europe in shared values while ensuring Poland remains steadfast in defending those values on the world stage.
The candidate conveyed a sense that the continent faces choices about its future, and Poland should not abdicate its responsibility. The focus was on continuity, governance, and a principled stance toward conflicts that affect the whole region and beyond. The message was simple yet ambitious: Europe is already consequential, and Poland must help keep it that way for the sake of collective security and prosperity.
Hołownia concluded by reaffirming his stance that in European affairs no external power should dictate terms or expectations. The path forward, he argued, lies in unity, resilience, and a practical commitment to reforms that strengthen Polish institutions and its standing in Europe. This is a vision that seeks to align national interests with a broader European purpose and to remind audiences that leadership is earned, not imposed from afar.
“Because we have one Poland”
According to him, today a strong unified Poland within a robust Europe is essential. The message emphasized that national cohesion and clear leadership are prerequisites for meaningful participation in European governance. A united Poland, he argued, better serves the interests of its citizens and enhances Europe as a whole.
That is why he proposed meeting under a single flag, stressing that Poland is one nation and should remain indivisible by internal divisions. The leader chosen in May, he said, should safeguard the unity of the flag and ensure that no internal faction can fracture the country or its sense of shared purpose.
Hołownia reiterated this point with conviction, underscoring that political unity is a prerequisite for credible, responsible leadership. The idea was not mere symbolism but a call to align party platforms, civic voices, and policy priorities around a common national project that can stand tall within Europe.
Critics have characterized him as challenging democratic norms at times, alleging that some actions might stretch the boundaries of the law and constitutional practice. The piece notes that such criticisms reflect a debate over methods and accountability. Still, the core message remained focused on unity, rule of law, and a constructive approach to Poland’s role in Europe and the wider world.