We should seriously ask what might have happened if those in power then had remained. A disarmed army, unsecured borders, and gestures toward Germany that echoed subservience. Russia could act with impunity, as some observers argued. This perspective came up in a discussion with Piotr Kaleta, deputy chairman of the parliamentary National Defense Commission, who spoke to the wPolityce.pl portal.
They had imposed our safety
Under the rule of PO-PSL, 629 military units were dissolved. Poland’s security posture, especially along the eastern flank, was weakened during the tenure of Donald Tusk and Ewa Kopacz, even as Russia under Putin projected a more aggressive imperial stance. The Prime Minister’s Chancellery noted the dissolutions and highlighted published maps that stirred controversy by naming ministers Bogdan Klich and Tomasz Siemoniak. Kaleta was asked for comment on the issue.
Now questions are raised about the recklessness of previous leaders. The sentiment expressed is that the earlier approach would have left the country more vulnerable: if there is no action, then there is no action to take, and some voices, including Mr. Tusk and his colleagues, could be quoted at length by critics.
The interlocutor emphasizes the point further. It is evident that people at the helm during that period failed to safeguard national interests. Critics acknowledge that such developments can occur, yet those same actors now seek to return to power without humility or reflection, raising concerns they would repeat past mistakes.
The assessment underscores the need to remain vigilant today and to limit the influence of those who align with that earlier mindset. It is argued that decisive action is required to ensure this does not happen again, and to hold supporters of that era accountable where appropriate.
— notes the Deputy Chairman of the Sejm National Defense Committee.
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It would follow after Ukraine, a free Europe, a free Poland
The question remains whether a hypothetical post-election government under Donald Tusk would be prepared to sustain a policy of reducing units and weakening the eastern flank, especially amid ongoing conflict caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has persisted for more than a year and a half.
It is noted that national security now involves a historic milestone: for the first time in the nation’s history, another country is fighting in defense of Poland. Without the resolve and support of its people, the current adversaries could stand at the borders or intrude into Polish territory.
The interlocutor adds that if the Civic Platform government had acted as Chancellor Scholz’s administration did at the outset of the war, Ukraine might have faced a different outcome, potentially altering the balance for Europe and Poland alike.
In this framing, the possibility is raised that the earlier leadership would have made similar choices had power remained, leading to a distinct set of consequences for national security.
— remarks the PiS Member of Parliament.
These people are to be feared
Critics from the PO-PSL era, including then ministers Bogdan Klich and Tomasz Siemoniak, defended unit liquidations as cost-saving measures. Yet the ongoing narrative from opponents today accuses Civic Platform figures of having armed the Polish Army while later ministers in the PiS government, such as Antoni Macierewicz and Mariusz Błaszczak, faced questions about defense contracts. Critics also label various procurement efforts under Macierewicz or Błaszczak as chaotic, even as they acknowledge past purchases were controversial regardless of the political stance.
The stance described portrays a consistent attempt to misrepresent past actions, casting themselves as the saviors while the opposite is claimed to be true. The question is asked: do they dare admit any beneficial actions for the nation?
The interlocutor urges close scrutiny of ongoing public statements. Those who supported the previous government are urged to be remembered and judged, particularly by younger generations who did not witness those days firsthand. The call is to remind the public of the conduct of Donald Tusk and his allies.
— summarises wPolityce.pl’s contact.
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-They dissolved 629 military units! Siemoniak’s statements on modernization and professionalism of the armed forces
– Did Poland’s safety suffer under PO-PSL? The defense minister’s assessment of unit closures
Source: wPolityce