New Polish president strikes combative anti-EU, anti-migration tone

Warsaw (dpa) – Poland’s new right-wing President Karol Nawrocki took office on Wednesday and immediately adopted a confrontational tone toward the centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

“I will be the voice of the citizens who want sovereignty and security,” Nawrocki said in his inaugural speech, in which he reiterated his anti-migration and anti-euro positions.

He vowed to act decisively and consistently: “No to illegal migration, yes to the zloty, no to the euro.”

Poland does not currently have the European Union’s common currency and the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) opposition party, which backed Nawrocki, opposes adopting it.

In Poland, the president is elected for a five-year term. The president helps shape foreign policy, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and has veto power over legislation passed by parliament.

As is customary, the new president was sworn in before the National Assembly, composed of both chambers of parliament. Prime Minister Tusk watched Nawrocki’s speech with a stony expression.

In his speech, Nawrocki stressed that he would maintain Poland’s relations with the European Union, but added: “I will never agree to the EU taking powers away from Poland, especially in matters not enshrined in the European treaties.”

The new head of state also underlined the importance of international alliances, including with the United States. He pledged to work toward Poland having a “leading role” in NATO, especially on the alliance’s eastern flank.

Poland is one of the most significant political and military backers of Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s war of agression. Warsaw also sees itself as directly threatened by Russia and is ramping up military spending. (August 6)