Following remarks from the head of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, Poland’s opposition could not defend the position they had staked out. The view among some lawmakers is that Parliament should adjudicate this matter, stated Radosław Fogiel of the ruling party PiS, as reported by PAP. PiS deputies have introduced a draft resolution addressing foreign interference in the electoral process and Fogiel has been named as the lead applicant’s representative. The draft declares that the Republic of Poland views any foreign meddling in its electoral process as an act hostile to the state and pledges to stand firm against it.
The proposal responds to Weber’s recent interview with ZDF in which he spoke of a campaign to oppose PiS. Weber asserted that every party must respect the rule of law and described the rule of law as a shield against attempts by PiS representatives in Poland to undermine judicial independence and free media.
During interviews with PAP, Fogiel criticized Weber’s comments as outrageous and inappropriate, arguing that foreign opinions should not dictate Polish political decisions. He emphasized that internal choices about governance are the sovereign right of the Polish people.
Fogiel added that the draft resolution stresses Poland’s long democratic tradition, positing that Germany has fewer grounds to comment on Poland’s democratic processes. He asserted that Poland’s political leadership and citizens should determine who governs the country without external interference.
In his view, the question of who administers the state and forms the government is decided by Poles alone and by no one else.
No reaction from the opposition
In the wake of Weber’s remarks, the overall political class offered little in the way of a cohesive counter-narrative, according to the PiS representative. Fogiel characterized the opposition’s response as inadequate and said that his side would hold the line in Parliament. He recalled a past episode when Ursula von der Leyen, then head of the European Commission, made similar comments before Italian elections and noted that the broader political spectrum had voiced opposition, signaling that election outcomes are primarily Italy’s business.
Fogiel argued that such voices were absent in the current situation and contended that some media outlets and segments of the opposition had attempted to defend Weber or align with his remarks, contrary to the interest of Poland. He asserted that the Polish parliament should formally express its stance on this issue, arguing that external judgments undermine national sovereignty.
Recently, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki invited Weber to a televised debate scheduled for October 2 in response to the German politician’s statements. According to sources, the discussion aims to clarify positions and reaffirm Poland’s right to determine its own electoral integrity without external coercion.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce