In a display of political alignment, Agriculture Minister Henryk Kowalczyk enjoys the backing of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the Council of Ministers, and the ruling parliamentary coalition. Government spokesperson Piotr Müller described PSL’s move to push for a dismissal as less a policy debate and more a maneuver tied to the coming electoral season, noting that the opposition party views it as a tool for campaigning rather than a serious governance discussion. This framing came during remarks shared with press agencies representing the Polish political landscape.
PSL seeks Kowalczyk’s removal
During a community visit to Busko-Zdrój on a recent Saturday, PSL President Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced his intention to file a formal motion next week calling for the removal of Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Henryk Kowalczyk. Kosiniak-Kamysz asserted that Kowalczyk had misled the rural sector and steered Polish farmers astray, presenting a litany of criticisms aimed at the minister’s track record.
Among the grievances cited were missteps, omissions, missed opportunities, and insufficient funding for EU programs. Critics pointed to delayed responses to market shifts, unresolved concerns about Ukrainian grain imports, and fragile crop prices that affected farm incomes. They also highlighted structural issues such as the reduction of pig farming capacity, concerns about the spread of animal diseases like African swine fever, and the broader implications for farm viability. This list reflects the scope of perceived failures identified by the opposition and echoed by supporters of the motion.
Kosiniak-Kamysz described the list as representing the consequences of policy decisions rather than accidental oversights, presenting it as evidence of a mismanaged agricultural agenda.
“Henryk Kowalczyk has broad political support
In response, government spokesman Piotr Müller pointed to the administration’s position and reiterated the coalition’s backing for Kowalczyk. He emphasized that the government is pursuing a comprehensive set of measures aimed at stabilizing the agricultural sector and supporting rural communities through a challenging period for global markets.
Müller noted that the Polish government has been executing multiple programs to bolster agriculture. These include targeted grain subsidies, initiatives to aid pig farming recovery, and ongoing plans to address sectors most in need of financial relief and structural reform. He indicated that the administration is preparing additional actions to support areas requiring help, underscoring the government’s commitment to sustaining farm incomes and rural livelihoods.
According to the government spokesman, Kowalczyk continues to enjoy the confidence of the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers, and the broader parliamentary base. He reiterated that today’s PSL motion is viewed as part of the electoral campaign rather than a constructive policy debate, a characterization conveyed in an interview with PAP. The exchange underscores the tension between opposition criticism and the coalition’s insistence on policy continuity and stability in the agricultural sector.
In summary, the political dynamic surrounding Kowalczyk’s position reflects a broader debate over agricultural policy, funding mechanisms, and the government’s ability to manage shocks in farming communities. The outcome of the upcoming motions and the public reaction will influence the trajectory of Poland’s rural policy as officials assess the best paths forward for farmers and the wider economy.
kk/PAP
Source: wPolityce