In Krakow, statements by Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of PiS and deputy prime minister, suggested that Poland could become a country populated by its own citizens but governed from outside. He warned that changes to European Union treaties might shift power toward France and Germany, altering the balance of influence within the bloc.
On a Saturday evening, the National Independence Day celebrations took place inside the Krakow hall known as Sokół. The event drew participation from PiS leaders, including Jarosław Kaczyński and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, along with several party officials and ministers from Morawiecki’s government, as well as PiS MPs. The gathering was hosted by party colleagues Beata Szydło, Mariusz Błaszczak, Joachim Brudziński, and Antoni Macierewicz.
Opponents had argued that there would be no changes to European treaties, a point reiterated by the PiS president during his remarks at Sokół in Kraków. He outlined ongoing work in the European Parliament concerning changes such as removing the unanimity requirement in the EU, transferring certain powers from member states in areas including external security and civil protection, defense and border control, and foreign affairs.
In this context, he pointed to the border dynamics with Belarus as an example of how sovereignty could be reshaped by EU mechanisms, arguing that, under the proposed regulations, such activities could be entirely shifted to European institutions.
He suggested that for Central and Eastern Europe the effect would be practical governance by Germany, framing it as a concrete result of a union that could see a country like Poland living within its borders but governed from outside, were these changes to take effect. He warned that once these provisions are accepted, there would be no meaningful barriers to implementation.
He underscored that such a trend would amount to a loss of independence for Poland and urged that the country would carry the consequences if the motions moved forward.
“Poland could face coercion”
In discussing European treaty changes, Kaczyński addressed issues around the handling of waste imported from Germany into Poland. He asserted that Germany had shown reluctance to return waste, contrary to European law, and warned that if Germany gains disproportionate power, it could act on a larger scale abroad as well.
He warned that as powers concentrate, the likelihood increases that actions unfavorable to Poland could be pursued with greater intensity. He argued that it would be naive to expect otherwise and described a future where Poland might be subjected to higher levels of pressure and influence from neighboring states and associations within the EU.
He did not shy away from declaring that the public should recognize the risk, emphasizing that the escalation of such influence would be costly both publicly and personally for Poles. He stated that responsibility for safeguarding national autonomy required strong resolve and that defending national interests would entail sacrifices, including for those who might question such a stance.
“This is not a popular proposition in Berlin”
When discussing governance changes, Kaczyński argued that after any treaty enters into force, Poland would retain sovereignty only if there is steadfast resistance. He noted that during the government of the United Right, Poland had made measurable progress relative to Western Europe, but warned that Berlin would resist moves perceived as diminishing its own influence. He asserted that the process would be halted through determined opposition.
He linked the prospect of introducing the euro to potential declines in living standards, warning that the transition could impose costs on every citizen. He argued that the economic pressure would be a tool used to suppress national autonomy and to push member states toward broader integration that undermines national decision-making.
The Staff of the party stressed that the trajectory planned for the EU would prioritize the largest member states, France and Germany, potentially reshaping regional power maps. Poland’s role, according to the speech, would be affected by such changes, with the northern European bloc leaning toward stronger centralization and economic governance as a means to secure stability across the union.
Several ideas under discussion included restructuring the number of European commissioners and adjusting who could hold those positions. Kaczyński warned that the balance of representation could be altered, with some members losing a seat and others facing the possibility of dismissal by the European Parliament. He argued that this strategic rearrangement would be enforced to maintain a controlled framework across the union.
The PiS president also criticized opponents from the Civic Platform, labeling them as supporters of German influence within European debates. He announced plans to urge other coalition partners not to back changes unfavorable to Poland and stated that Law and Justice would oppose reforms to Brussels institutions regardless of initial signals. He suggested that the Civic Platform and allied forces might downplay the real significance of these changes for Poland, presenting negotiations as if ample time remained when, in his view, discussions would proceed quickly under the Conference of Heads of Government.
He asserted that, should the government of the time differ, unanimity on these issues could be achieved or blocked depending on who led the executive. He reminded listeners that any treaty adjustments would need approval by the Sejm, including potential constitutional amendments. He warned that legal mechanisms could be used to block proposals, and he framed defending national sovereignty as a duty that might require substantial personal and collective sacrifice.
After the Sokół gathering, a PiS delegation led by Kaczyński and Morawiecki laid flowers at a Kraków monument honoring Józef Piłsudski and the memory of independence. The event reflected a broader sense of historical resonance and national identity in the context of ongoing debates about Poland’s role within the European Union.
Additional reflections on Germany’s stance toward Poland highlighted tensions since 1989, including issues related to borders and NATO membership. The event, like others of its kind, underscored the tension between national sovereignty and European integration that continues to shape political discourse in Poland.