A new foreign policy stance is urged as Poland looks beyond recent years
Former Prime Minister Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz argued on RMF FM that the focus, in the current climate, should be on identifying what went wrong over the past eight years and on outlining a fresh foreign policy. He stressed that negotiations among opposition forces rarely begin with the most divisive topics, suggesting that initial talks should aim for practical compromises rather than immediate confrontation.
Asked about the likely pace and efficiency of coalition talks among opposition groups, the former Prime Minister, former Speaker of the Sejm, and current member of the European Parliament indicated that leaders should act with urgency. He encouraged a swift start to discussions, while insisting that the agenda must remain flexible and pragmatic as the parties seek common ground.
Variant “Abroad”.
Cimoszewicz noted that the coalition might face divergent priorities in the domestic arena. Some issues should be postponed for later consideration, as not every matter carries the same urgency. The emphasis, he said, should be on dissecting the missteps of the previous eight years and pursuing commendable policies, particularly in the realm of foreign affairs. He called for a new government to present Poland on the international stage, with the Prime Minister-elect engaging Brussels and other capitals to signal a fresh approach to Poland’s role abroad.
He added that negotiations should avoid personal feuds and focus on reasonable compromises, arguing that heated rhetoric only undermines the perception of responsibility within the opposition. On the topic of EU funding, he noted that the outcome of elections and the composition of the government would be welcomed by EU member states and the European Commission; ultimately, he suggested, the decisions surrounding these funds would not be reversed solely due to a change in government.
According to Cimoszewicz, the blocking of funds has both legal and material foundations. If, under new political circumstances, the Constitutional Tribunal considers requests to amend the law governing the Supreme Court, it could pave the way for rapid changes and the transfer of money to Poland.
He observed that if the opposition were to dismiss illegal actions, it could erode the rule of law rather than strengthening it. He urged independent courts to determine accountability and cautioned that neglecting misconduct would prolong legal gaps and undermine public trust.
New Sejm
Looking ahead, Cimoszewicz asserted that the president should convene the Sejm for the new term as soon as possible, noting that potential election protests could influence timing. He argued that the president ought to assign the task of forming a government to the parliamentary majority rather than simply handing the mandate to the party with the largest vote share.
Regarding the left’s performance, he described the result as a “victorious defeat,” saying it invites reflection on the campaign’s strategy and messaging. He suggested that some voters may have shifted their support to KO at the last moment to prevent a different outcome and criticized the left for not engaging enough with voters on key issues.
The National Electoral Commission released the official parliamentary results. PiS received 35.38 percent of votes and 194 seats, KO 30.70 percent with 157 seats, Trzecia Droga 14.40 percent with 65 seats, New Left 8.61 percent with 26 seats, and Confederation 7.16 percent with 18 seats. Cimoszewicz noted that these numbers reflect a broader opposition narrative focused on resisting PiS, regardless of program details. He warned that this approach could impair public life and the path forward for Poland.
Source: wPolityce