During a joint press conference with fellow MEPs Dominik Tarczynski and Anna Zalewska, Joachim Brudzinski, Vice President of PiS and a member of the European Parliament, argued that the shift away from natural gas was framed as a necessity once Nord Stream stopped supplying gas. He noted that power is increasingly tied to new green technologies, including heat pumps, and questioned where these pumps are manufactured. Brudzinski pointed to the rapid development of new factories along the Polish-German border, predominantly in Germany, as evidence of a regional push toward this energy transition.
In his view, the European Parliament had just wrapped up another session aimed at satisfying a pervasive environmental agenda he described as a kind of ideology or religion—the Green Deal. He claimed that subsequent directives drained Polish pockets, citing the energy performance of buildings guideline as an example. He argued that by 2025 gas boilers would end and that people who previously benefited from the Clean Air program would be required to switch away from mineral boilers entirely by 2040. He urged listeners to see this as another sign of what he called ecological folly.
The MEP asserted that from 2030, all new buildings would be emission-free, and he teased that the meaning of zero emissions would be clarified for the audience in due course. He condemned what he described as an ideological trend toward zero emissions, blaming it on the idea that gas had once powered Europe’s largest economy before the Ukraine conflict.
The discussion also touched on the production of heat pumps and the broader energy strategy. Brudzinski insisted that the coalitions in power had produced policies that would force households to draw from their own resources, potentially costing tens to hundreds of thousands of zlotys, while failing to secure European funds for the directive’s implementation. He argued that these measures would leave some regions economically disadvantaged and spur wider social and political unrest.
Another focal point was the perception of environmental decisions and mining operations. Zalewska discussed a court ruling that paused Turów’s environmental clearance, which she described as a political move imbued with green policy. She claimed the ruling lacked necessary environmental considerations and warned that it could delay or halt mining activity beyond 2024, jeopardizing energy stability. She linked this decision to broader concerns about renewable investments and the reliability of energy supply.
Zalewska criticized what she called the influence of green ideology on Polish courts, alleging that the ruling could restrict heat supply to residents and stifle local development. She argued that the current concession would expire in 2026, and warned that any delay or pause could deter investments across public bodies that require environmental clearances for major energy projects. She cautioned that such political judgments might hinder the country’s ability to ensure energy security while pursuing energy transition goals.
Both politicians highlighted the political environment surrounding regulatory decisions and warned about potential public unrest. They described a trend of attempts to sway public opinion through media and high-profile inquiries, including debates around migration and the roles of international pacts. They also criticized the use of investigative committees as platforms for fueling confusion and political theatrics, suggesting that these sessions could be used to advance a broader green agenda at the expense of national interests.
The discourse moved toward regional elections and the possibility that coalition authorities could influence outcomes in provincial assemblies. The politicians warned about a shift toward policies seen as too permissive toward migration and integration, and they suggested that such shifts would redefine local social cohesion. They argued that public opinion could be steered to accept immigration policies that would shape the region for years to come.
In sum, the speakers argued that green policy goals, when pursued without robust funding and clear economic benefit, risk undermining energy security and affordability. They asserted that the energy transition should be grounded in practical investment, reliable supply, and transparent budgeting rather than ideological commitments. They called for scrutiny of decisions and insisted on clear accountability from those steering energy policy and climate-related initiatives.
What remains clear is that the debate over Europe’s energy future is deeply entwined with politics, economics, and regional interests. The arguments presented reflect concerns about how fast the transition is pushed, how funding is allocated, and what the real-world impact will be on households and industry across Poland and the broader region.
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