Polish Ambassadors, Presidential Powers, and US Visit: A TV Dialogue

Guests on the program Salon Dziennikarski on Telewizja in Poland discussed the dismissal of more than 50 Polish ambassadors by the government led by Donald Tusk. The participants argued that such a move oversteps presidential authority and will affect foreign policy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that its head, Radosław Sikorski, decided to terminate the missions of more than fifty ambassadors and to withdraw several candidacies that had been submitted for approval by the previous ministry leadership. It was reported that practical appeal procedures have been initiated. The topic of expelling ambassadors from diplomatic missions was explored during the Salon Dziennikarski program.

The commentator remarked that PiS, if it returns to power, is unlikely to adopt a rule described as a “club and resolution”, arguing that such a framework would mirror what was seen during Tusk’s administration — a cycle of club and resolution.

– said Stanisław Janecki.

He noted that, by law, the president appoints and dismisses ambassadors. According to the Foreign Service Act, “an ambassador is appointed and dismissed by the President of the Republic of Poland at the request of the minister responsible for foreign affairs, approved by the Prime Minister.”

If there is no presidential act, a person is not an ambassador and does not cease to be one. This situation, he argued, undermines Poland’s standing in various countries and in international organizations.

– said a columnist for the weekly magazine Sieci.

He also mentioned that starting December 13, 2023, the tasks of the Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels — based on a decision by the Tusk team — would be carried out by Piotr Serafin, while Andrzej Sadoł was dismissed from that position.

Mr. Serafin is described as an EU insider, and he is tolerated because of personal connections. Sikorski, in his view, characterized him as someone who knew the law while Donald Tusk allegedly did not.

– said Janecki.

PO’s revenge plan

The editor-in-chief of the wPolityce.pl website also weighed in on the ambassador cancellations, calling it “another part of the revenge program.”

The revenge program referred to by the guests is described as a political project of the Civic Platform or the Civic Coalition, with the scope of the purge said to be very broad.

– noted Marzena Nykiel.

This view portrays the moves as a harsh attack on the presidency, arguing that anyone with ties to Law and Justice or the previous government is targeted, including individuals in cultural institutions and political bodies that influence international policy. The ambassador purge is described as part of a broader “revenge plan.”

– she pointed.

She added that the current administration appears to disregard Poland’s security interests.

What mandates do the ambassadors here hold, and what mandates will future ambassadors receive? At the same time, Sikorski described the changes as depoliticization and as a fault of PiS, according to her.

– she said.

Those expressing this view argued that these are people who do not consider the state’s interests.

– she assessed.

Visit of the President and Prime Minister in Washington

Salon Journalists also discussed the visit of President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk to the United States.

The impression given was that President Biden sought to engage Tusk in areas where Poland is viewed as a credible partner, while the Constitution designates the president as the Republic’s outermost representative in international affairs.

– said Janecki.

He added that the aim of the visit was for Tusk to affirm Poland’s commitments, particularly in relation to nuclear energy and defense partnerships.

Tusk was expected to project credibility, as the relationship between the United States and Poland has evolved with Sikorski and Tusk guiding foreign policy for some time. The commentary suggested that Washington’s stance on Poland has shifted, and the two Polish leaders were seen as central figures in shaping policy on security and international engagement.

– noted the publicist.

There was a view that Tusk’s time as a European and Polish leader required affirming Poland’s role in security alliances and in regional stability, including the stance toward Ukraine and NATO responsibilities.

– the author emphasized.

A lesson for Tusk in the US

The editor of Gazeta Gdańska suggested that the visit also carried a message about Poland’s internal situation. Poland’s position as a frontline country within NATO means its unity and stability are closely watched by alliance leadership — a fact some argue makes it essential to present a united front instead of internal divisions.

– said Marek Formela.

He noted that the White House meeting was also a lesson in civic and political education for Donald Tusk, portraying it as a moment to learn how to balance national interests with European expectations. The commentary suggested that a softer approach from the Polish state might be more palatable to European partners at a time when unity within NATO remains crucial.

Shortly after the visit, discussions in the Weimar Triangle format were held at the Chancellery Office in Berlin, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron participating. The Polish leadership had announced the surprise summit after a meeting with President Biden.

One analyst described the situation as uncomfortable for Poland, noting that Tusk was summoned for questions and that he called for clarity about Poland’s position in regional security and reparations, with some observers suggesting that Polish leadership must present a coherent approach to both domestic and international audiences.

Another commentator added that this sequence highlights the challenge of maintaining a balanced stance within a complex alliance and the need to articulate a clear policy on Ukraine, NATO, and the broader security arc in Europe.

A lesson for Tusk in the US

From another perspective, the visit was framed as a signal about Poland’s internal dynamics and how they are perceived by global partners. The discussion underscored the importance of presenting a united front on international commitments while managing domestic political tensions that can spill over into alliance relations.

There was also commentary on the timing and nature of Poland’s interactions with major powers, including debates about how compensation issues for historical events might influence current diplomacy, and how those conversations are shaped by leadership changes and policy directions at home.

JOURNALISM SALON ON WPOLSKA TELEVISION:

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—After the media and the prosecutor’s office, another purge of Tusk’s team follows. Sikorski wants to appoint more than fifty ambassadors. The State Department is putting pressure on the president

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Telewizja wPolsce/wPolityce.pl/PAP/bjg

Note: this article presents perspectives voiced on television and in opinion pieces and reflects ongoing political discourse.