Jarosław Kaczyński has called for Poland to begin negotiations on the terms of a possible withdrawal from the European Union.
“Countries seeking change should conclude a new treaty establishing a framework on terms that we determine. These negotiations should begin as soon as possible. It is a tough approach and a risky one, but the situation is so bad at present that it is worth pursuing, because there is no other way out,” the leader of the Law and Justice (PiS) party said at the Krynica Forum.
His remarks immediately sparked a major political controversy.
“Jarosław Kaczyński has just announced that Poland should begin negotiations on the terms of its withdrawal from the European Union. This is one of the issues at stake in Poland’s political battle today. It is a tough fight. I have no intention of losing it, even if not everyone is playing by the same rules,” Tusk wrote, reacting angrily to the opposition leader’s comments.
Kaczyński said the European Union was necessary but in need of far-reaching reform. He blamed the Union’s current crisis and decline on Angela Merkel’s time in office and on Tusk, whom he described as one of her close associates.
“It is hardly surprising that Tusk is defending a system from which he himself benefited as president of the European Council,” Kaczyński added.
The remarks have already turned attention towards next year’s parliamentary election. No date has yet been set for Poland’s next parliamentary vote, which is due to take place in autumn 2027.
