During a Kielce gathering, the PiS president highlighted state defense and the necessity to reinforce the armed forces. Jarosław Kaczyński also teased the new head of the Ministry of National Defense, joking about the government’s choice: “What is the government doing? The new government gives us Mr Kosiniak-Kamysz. Ladies and gentlemen, a tiger.”
“We must arm ourselves strongly.”
Jarosław Kaczyński joined residents of Kielce for a visit organized under the Law and Justice initiative titled “Meetings of Free Poles – Let’s be together!”
He drew attention to national defense as a key priority, describing it as an issue that should guide government action and noting that in the event of war, other concerns would pale in comparison as Poland would become a frontline state.
Speaking of the need for resilience, he stressed that the country must mobilize its resources for defense, even if it requires substantial effort and sacrifice. The aim, as he put it, is to invest heavily in the army to ensure a secure, normal life and to avoid catastrophic vulnerability.
The former deputy prime minister for security underscored that strengthening the armed forces cannot be abandoned under any circumstances, warning that inaction would leave the country exposed to conflict.
He recalled that under the PiS government, steps to bolster Poland’s military stood underway, including defense contracts for major platforms and systems. He cited the acquisition of F-35 and FA-50 fighter jets, combat aircraft, HIMARS rocket systems, and Abrams M1A2 tanks, adding that these investments were coordinated with the General Staff.
For more context, this discussion followed reports about Kaczyński’s warnings that nothing matters if war erupts and Poland finds itself at the frontlines.
Kosiniak-Kamysz and the “tiger”
During the event, the leader of the United Right referred to the PSL’s leader, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, as the new head of the Ministry of National Defense in the government headed by Donald Tusk. Kosiniak-Kamysz, who chairs the PSL, drew attention for proposing a policy initiative that critics described as insufficient for immediate production needs.
He characterized the PSL slogan about buying half of weapons domestically as unrealistic, arguing that Poland cannot rapidly scale its arms industry to produce large quantities of modern weapons. He urged urgency in strengthening the defense capacity while acknowledging practical limits.
In his remarks, Kaczyński pressed that the new administration should not undermine the arms relationship with strategic partners, including ongoing collaborations with South Korea. He asserted that such partnerships were essential and that giving them up would effectively invite strategic risk, equating resignation with exposure to war.
“Come on tiger, the stage is yours.”
When commenting on Kosiniak-Kamysz and the “tiger,” the PiS leader referenced a well-known moment when the PSL leader’s wife, Paulina Kosiniak-Kamysz, urged him to take the stage with the words: “Come on, tiger, the stage is yours.” The moment has since become a powerful anecdote referenced in political discourse.
The exchange prompted public discussions about political messaging and leadership choices within the defense sphere.
Błaszczak to Kosiniak-Kamysz
Kosiniak-Kamysz responded to the PiS remarks on the X platform, criticizing the approach to homeland protection and governance, and calling for a thorough review of defense implementation. He stressed that a robust, transparent process is needed to ensure full operational readiness and accountability for defense actions.
The PSL president’s position drew responses from the defense leadership, including remarks from a former defense minister who emphasized the extensive scope of the Homeland Defense Act, which required numerous executive orders to become fully functional. He suggested that focusing on military readiness rather than other issues could have accelerated the act’s full implementation.
The dialogue underscored the ongoing public debate about defense policy, operational readiness, and how best to balance domestic priorities with international commitments. Observers noted the importance of maintaining a productive, accountable approach to strengthening national security while navigating political disagreements.
Ultimately, the discussion reflected a broader contest over how to equip Poland for potential security challenges, how to allocate resources effectively, and how to sustain reliable partnerships with key allies. The exchange between PiS and PSL figures illustrates the pressure on political leaders to deliver concrete results in defense while managing public expectations and inter-party dynamics.
In the public sphere, observers and commentators repeated that a responsible defense strategy must prioritize readiness, modernity, and alliance-based security, with oversight ensuring transparency and effectiveness across all defense programs. The conversation highlighted the enduring significance of national defense in political discourse and the continued debate over the best path to ensure Poland’s security in a changing regional landscape.