Today a letter will be signed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs outlining concerns about Piotr Serafin stepping into the role of Permanent Representative to the European Union, a move critics say bypasses standard procedures and requires presidential assent. This account comes from a former senior official with insight into the ministry’s internal processes who spoke to the press on Thursday.
“‘Unlawful removal of the ambassador’
Andrzej Sadoś, the Polish permanent representative to the EU, returned to Warsaw for consultations after a summons from the Foreign Ministry. In a subsequent announcement, the ministry said Sadoś had been recalled for consultations but would continue to hold the status of ambassador, while the post in Brussels would be occupied by Piotr Serafin, holding the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary, effective December 13, 2023.
The former official described the action as a political gambit, arguing that recalling the ambassador for consultations undermines the importance of the bilateral relationship and signals a shift in diplomatic engagement.
The current discussion centers on a procedure that, by the official account, must include the President’s consent before appointing the duties of the Permanent Representative to the EU. The person in question would perform those duties once the proper steps are completed.
This stance was reinforced by the official who stated that the step being described is not yet finalized and remains a matter of debate among policymakers.
– an observer noted.
– the issuer described the move as a troubling development.
In an interview with the press, the same figure clarified that a letter would be sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and then forwarded to the EU affairs minister for further action, reflecting the procedural pathway that would typically govern such appointments.
“None of this has been done.”
During a briefing, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the decision to recall the ambassador for consultations had been conveyed to the President, together with an outline of the intention to adjust the diplomatic representation, but stopping short of an actual recall. The spokesperson noted that nothing had been finalized and that the President would ultimately decide on the matter, including whether to confirm Serafin for the post.
Officials added that Sadoś remains the Polish representative to the EU, albeit currently not assigned to active duties pending formal steps. The situation has sparked questions about timing, coordination with the EU and the broader diplomatic ramifications during a critical summit period in Brussels.
The exchange prompted remarks that the Polish interests in the EU should be represented effectively, and observers cautioned that the partly framed procedure could be misread by European partners amid ongoing negotiations and high-level discussions.
Szynkowski vel Sęk underscored that the applicable law requires an official submission from the Foreign Affairs Minister, after consultation with the EU affairs minister, to be sent for presidential approval—an assertion aimed at clarifying the standard constitutional process.
– the official stated.
““It’s a Mistake”
The political commentary continued on social media, where Szynkowski vel Sęk argued that the action taken during a significant European summit would be difficult to justify to European colleagues. The remark highlighted concerns about the procedure under the current legal framework, which dictates that the President must consent to any dismissal or reassignment of the Permanent Representative to the EU.
As clarified by insiders, no procedure of this kind had been initiated, let alone completed, leaving Andrzej Sadoś as the appointed permanent representative to the EU until formal steps are made. The summoning of the ambassador for consultations and any reduction in the mission’s status at a key EU gathering would likely attract attention from European cabinets and the diplomatic corps, many of whom remain attentive to the evolving Polish position on EU relations. Those familiar with the situation describe the sequence as a misstep that warrants careful re-evaluation.
In summary, the current stance preserves Sadoś’s role while the broader question of who will ultimately represent Poland in Brussels at the European level remains unresolved until official channels conclude the process.