Voices from Poland on Turów and Political Talks
A well-known figure in Poland, Jarosław Grzesik, who leads the National Mining and Energy Secretariat of NSZZ “Solidarność,” spoke to PAP about Mr. Tusk as a person of interest for the group.
The sentiment was clear: in a different situation, meeting Mr. Tusk might be straightforward, yet in the current moment such a meeting would not influence decisions because the person at the helm of these choices is not in a position to decide at will.
– Jarosław Grzesik, chair of the NSZZ “Solidarity” National Mining and Energy Secretariat, told PAP.
A concrete instance
Grzesik referenced remarks made by Donald Tusk, the leader of the PO, who said, “I am open to contacts and relationships, including with trade union activists.”
He recalled a period a few years earlier when he and Mr. Tusk met while Tusk was Prime Minister. During that difficult phase for the mining sector, negotiations were pursued for months. Grzesik explained that despite their persistent efforts, Tusk shifted course and moved to a stronger position in Brussels, leaving the mining negotiations unsettled at the time.
– Grzesik emphasized that Tusk appeared open to dialogue but the outcomes did not align with what was needed for the industry.
Grzesik added that if Tusk rose to the roles of Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister, the union might have had limited alternatives. He noted that Tusk’s willingness to meet with union members was in response to a question about visiting the Turów mine crew during his tour of Poland.
If Tusk decides to visit Turów and his colleagues choose to participate in the meeting, Grzesik stated he would not attend such a meeting.
– said the chair of the NSZZ “Solidarity” National Mining and Energy Secretariat.
The Turów matter took another turn when the Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw suspended the environmental decree governing the coal mining concession for the Turów mine beyond 2026. The appeal against the decree, issued in autumn 2022, was filed by several groups including Frank Bold Foundation, Greenpeace, Ecological Association EKO-UNIA, and the city of Zittau, among others. The case remains before the court as part of ongoing proceedings.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, during a visit to the Turów lignite mine, assured that the government would prevent the mine from closing and would strive to keep it operational until 2044. He labeled the court’s decision a violation of Polish interests and described it as unlawful conduct.
Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin noted that the Turów dispute would continue to be examined by the Voivodeship Administrative Court, which would handle the substantive aspects of the application and any related rulings, while appeals against the decision would also be pursued on non-substantive grounds.
Judge Łuczaj’s role
Reports from the wPolityce.pl portal indicated that Provincial Administrative Court judge Jarosław Łuczaj, who issued the May Turów decision, supported a letter from Iustitia that aligned with the CJEU’s stance.
READ ALSO: OUR NEWS. The WSA judge behind the suspension of Turów investment reportedly signed a letter in support of the CJEU.
In September 2021, the Court of Justice of the European Union fined Poland 500,000 euros per day for not implementing a temporary measure and for not halting lignite mining at Turów. The penalty followed a Czech Republic lawsuit alleging that the mine’s expansion threatened water access for Liberec residents and caused noise and dust issues. In February 2023, Poland reached a settlement with the Czech Republic, paying 35 million euros in compensation and transferring 10 million euros to a fund for small environmental projects.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce