Power Struggle Erupts in Poland as President Faces Government Criticism
The newly elected right-wing President Karol Nawrocki is preparing for his first visit to the White House, amid rising tensions regarding his role and authority within the Polish government, reports 24brussels.
Radosław Fogiel, an MP from the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party that supports Nawrocki, criticized the government’s approach, describing it as “reductionist.” He emphasized that the president should encompass a broader representation of the country beyond serving merely as a government spokesperson. Fogiel, who also serves as the deputy chair of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, stated, “Representing the country means something broader. The president, as the state’s representative, cannot be limited to a government spokesperson role.”
Despite criticisms, the government maintains that Nawrocki’s vision aligns closely with that of the ruling coalition. Foreign ministry spokesperson Paweł Wroński asserted, “The president represents Poland but presents the position of the state, which is the position of the government, even if he disagrees with it. There cannot be two foreign policies for one state.”
Fighting for Power
This dispute encapsulates a larger struggle for power within the country. Donald Tusk, leader of a centrist coalition that regained power in December 2023, ousted the PiS government after nearly a decade of control. Nawrocki’s June victory, coupled with the return of Donald Trump to the White House, has complicated Tusk’s efforts to reintegrate Poland into the EU’s political mainstream.
The consequences of this internal conflict extend beyond party lines, as both leaders navigate their roles within Poland and on the international stage. With tensions brewing, the future direction of Polish foreign policy hangs in the balance, underscoring the ongoing struggle for influence in this pivotal European nation.
