Poland’s parliament has overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning statements made by Russian president Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader has, lately, strongly maintained that Poland played a significant part in causing the Second World War. Only one MP failed to vote.
“The parliament of the republic of Poland condemns the untruthful statements made by the authorities of the Russian Federation purporting to assign blame to Poland for the outbreak of the Second World War”- says Elżbieta Witek, speaker of the Parliament.
Much emotion and controversy was generated by this photograph: the lone MP out of 460, Janusz Korwin Mikke, refused to stand. MPs of his Confederation party declined to comment on this extraordinary behaviour.
“He was sitting over there, but I don’t see him sitting over here, I can invite him over if you want. He will surely give a very interesting answer. Thank God, I’m not Mr. Mikke’s spokesman, because this would be a difficult job. We’re working together so well, because in our party we don’t have to agree, even on such important issues. You’d have to ask him”- says Grzegorz Braun, the Confederation party.
Korwin-Mikke attempted to explain himself afterwards via social media, emphasizing that he despises democracy.
“For the same reasons I believe the parliament shouldn’t take on such matters like the Nobel prize in literature for Olga Tokarczuk – I believe it shouldn’t be discussing what stupid things the Russian president said. What’s more, parliament’s resolution was filled with trivial fragments straight from the history books; if parliament needs to legislatively declare historical truths, it means that the truths don’t defend themselves on their own. Of course, in cases such as this I wouldn’t even appear in parliament, but I was surprised by a sudden change in the order of the proceedings. They say “when in Rome do as the Romans do”. I prefer to live by the words of late Henryk Ibsen: “The strong is the strongest, when he’s standing alone!”. Even when he’s sitting, not standing”- says Janusz Korwin-Mikke, the Confederation party.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki had a different view on the matter, underlining the importance of parliament leading a strong historical policy.
“Today something important happened in the Parliament of the Republic of Poland. The provocative statements of Russian politicians falsifying Poland’s history were met with a firm response by MPs of all political parties. A special resolution was passed unanimously by acclamation. I would like to sincerely thank all members of parliament and encourage them more often to speak with one voice on matters important for the country”- says Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of Poland.