Patryk Jaki, a member of the European Parliament for the ruling party in Poland, delivered a forceful address during a European Parliament session focused on possible amendments to EU treaties. The speech centered on concerns about the direction of European integration and the implications of proposed constitutional shifts for member states and national sovereignty.
He urged colleagues to consider the real costs of expanding supranational authority, arguing that the proposed changes would deepen reliance on a centralized European framework at the expense of national autonomy. According to his view, the drive to create a more unified European state echoes a longstanding pattern where heightened centralized control has historically produced outcomes that were less favorable for the continent. He warned that past attempts to place greater responsibility on Europe recently described by negotiators could lead to outcomes that harm both Europe and its member countries.
Jaki reminded the chamber that the debate was not merely about legal texts but about the lived consequences for citizens. He contended that the new treaty language risks diminishing traditional European values and social models, such as the preservation of national identities and family structures, while elevating a broader, more universal framework. He expressed concern that the text refers to a set of principles that, in his assessment, challenge long-standing cultural foundations and social norms. He concluded that history provides lessons about the peril of rapid, top-down changes that overlook the experiences and preferences of individual nations.
“You are steering Europe toward another crisis.”
The speaker asserted that the path being followed by the proponents of deeper integration could weaken Europe in several key dimensions: military cohesion, economic resilience, and cultural self-understanding. He argued that the trend favors more centralized decision-making at the expense of national governance, which he described as a core element of European stability. In his view, the tendency to shift powers toward a central European authority mirrors patterns from the past that ultimately produced instability rather than unity. He called on policymakers to pause and reassess the consequences before advancing the draft treaty any further.
In closing, the Polish MEP urged a reorientation of priorities that would maintain the strength and identity of individual member states while still engaging in constructive, value-driven cooperation at the European level. He cautioned against policies that, in his assessment, would erode national sovereignty and limit the ability of member states to shape their own futures. The speech left the chamber with a clear message: Europe cannot afford to gamble with its shared history and the diverse paths that have defined its nations.