Poland has an opportunity to shape the international conversation and become the voice for nations that do not seek to impose top down decisions about Europe’s future, observes Michał Szułdrzyński in Rzeczpospolita.
Morawiecki responds to Macron and Scholz
The deputy editor of Rzeczpospolita notes that German media interpret Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s speech at the University of Heidelberg as a reply to the blueprint for Europe’s future laid out by the leaders of France and Germany. The journalist recalls Macron’s Sorbonne address, which urged deeper integration around the euro area, and Scholz’s Prague lecture proposing a broad expansion of the Community, including potential ties with Ukraine. The plan would require a thorough reform of the EU, such as adjusting the unanimity rule on foreign and security policy.
Poland should take a stand in Europe’s future
Plans for further federalization of the Community and the removal of the veto are met with opposition from Polish authorities, a stance explicitly stated by Prime Minister Morawiecki in Heidelberg. In his reply to Scholz, Morawiecki rejected federalization and veto abolition, arguing that the Union could expand to 35 member states and still function efficiently if it refrains from continually expanding its powers. He articulated the credo of the Group of European Conservatives and Reformists, emphasizing subsidiarity, a Europe rooted in nation states and in the foundational values of Christianity, ancient Greek and Roman civilization, and the importance of freedom, solidarity, and family. He warned that centralized EU decision making could replicate past mistakes when Germany became dependent on Russia through political choices in the early 2000s.
Szłdrzyński emphasizes that Poland was prudent to engage in the debate about Europe’s future. He notes that German media, while critical of the ruling party, acknowledged that Poland’s voice is gaining attention in the context of Ukraine aid and wider European responsibilities.
Morawiecki spoke for broad European resonance
During his Heidelberg address, Morawiecki highlighted values that resonate with audiences across Central and Eastern Europe, as well as those in Western Europe. He underscored that opposition to the unilateral expansion of EU veto power echoes conversations in multiple capitals, not solely in cities led by like minded governments. The deputy editor of Rzeczpospolita observes that Morawiecki voiced shared concerns heard in capitals across the continent, including Prague and Rome, about ensuring Europe remains a union of strong, independent states with a common purpose.
According to the journalist, the remarks were more than a domestic political statement. They flagged Poland’s readiness to contribute to a broader European dialogue and to offer a stance that might influence the direction of EU reforms. If the discussion moves beyond internal politics and domestic rivalries, Poland could seize a moment to project leadership on pivotal European questions and to advocate for a balanced approach to unity that respects national sovereignty.
Szłdrzyński concludes that observers should monitor how other capitals respond to the Polish prime minister’s Heidelberg speech. The reaction of European capitals will reveal whether Poland’s argument for prudence, subsidiarity, and aEurope grounded in traditional civic values gains traction in the broader debate about Europe’s future.
In summary, the Heidelberg address stands as a significant moment for Poland in the international arena. It presents a clear alternative to unconditional federalism and unchecked expansion of powers within the Union, advocating instead for a Europe shaped by nation states, shared values, and cautious, coordinated action on security and foreign policy.