Poland could not simply leave the EU’s climate framework without severing ties with the bloc itself, according to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. He insisted that backing away from the European climate agenda would effectively mean exiting the European Union, a stance he described as non-negotiable and not up for debate in the current political climate.
In a discussion published on Jakub Wiecha’s Electrification podcast, Morawiecki was questioned about why Poland has moved away from coal, a sector long central to the national energy mix.
His reply pointed to a long timeline of coal mine closures, a policy pushed by many opponents in parliament who argued for faster shutdowns to align with contemporary energy trends. Morawiecki suggested these shifts were often framed as modernization, but noted they came with significant economic and social implications for the region.
The prime minister characterized the situation as a response to sustained economic pressures and emphasized that the energy market in Western Europe briefly regained profitability for coal power only after a severe crisis at the end of 2021 and throughout 2022. He argued that the European Union’s stringent climate rules were a driving force behind rising prices for carbon emissions, which in turn undermined the competitiveness of coal-based generation.
He reiterated that EU climate policy sits at the core of the union’s economic strategy. For those familiar with EU dynamics, simply stepping away from climate policy would be tantamount to leaving the bloc altogether, a point he underscored as a reality rather than a hypothetical scenario.
“Polexit story”
Morawiecki said that advocates of Polexit—whether on the left or the right—are knowingly or unknowingly steering the country toward that narrative. He added that he refuses to be swept up by such discussions and prefers to navigate the policy landscape with care, avoiding the traps he believes such conversations create.
Asked whether his stance signaled opposition to any plan to roll back the ETS Directive within European law, he answered that changes of that kind are not feasible within the current European framework. According to him, the idea is promoted by those who either lack understanding or act with ill intent on the issue.
The discussion then turned to whether the present crisis might become an opportunity for Poland to strengthen its position. Morawiecki suggested there is a real likelihood that the government has managed to bring the public finances in order for the first time in Polish history. He framed this as a historical window where disciplined fiscal management could lay the groundwork for broader resilience.
He recalled past efforts to reform state structures—an analogy to a historical movement centuries ago that aimed to align the army, public finances, and the judiciary. He pointed out that although five hundred years have passed, those areas remain the primary Achilles heels, with public finances now showing clear signs of stabilization. He predicted that the next term could bring further improvements in both military capacity and the judiciary, reinforcing the country’s overall governance framework.
Morawiecki underscored the ongoing focus on strengthening fiscal discipline, defense, and judicial integrity as pillars for Poland’s future growth. The remarks reflect a government aiming to balance strategic sovereignty with the pressures of an integrated European market, while being mindful of domestic economic realities and social expectations.
Mon/PAP