A court decision to suspend the issuance of an environmental permit for the construction of a container terminal in Świnoujście has sparked numerous reactions. “One day it’s about ecology, the next it’s about unexploded ordnance—any excuse will do to block Poland’s development. But only a government this weak and externally controlled would accept it without a fight,” stated MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk.
On Monday, the Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw issued a ruling to suspend the issuance of an environmental decision for the construction of a deep-water container terminal in Świnoujście—the matter has been reported by German media, including Ostsee Zeitung (Baltic Sea Newspaper). The ruling is intended as a form of injunction.
This is the result of a lawsuit filed by the German organization Lebensraum Vorpommern (Living Space Vorpommern) and the municipality of Ostseebad Heringsdorf (Heringsdorf Seaside Resort). The claim includes allegations that, prior to the start of the project, “contamination of the seabed with munitions in this part of the Baltic was not properly examined.” A verdict in the case is expected on August 4.
“Any excuse will do”
The court’s decision has not gone unnoticed by politicians and commentators.
“The Germans have blocked the construction of the container terminal in Świnoujście. That’s a fact,” said MEP Patryk Jaki.
“Why have a port in Świnoujście when there’s one in Hamburg?” asked Confederation politician Rafał Mekler.
“The environmental decision regarding the expansion of the container port in Świnoujście has been suspended, which means the investment must be halted. The Germans can celebrate,” commented Oskar Szafarowicz.
“One day it’s ecology, the next it’s unexploded ordnance—any excuse will do to block Poland’s development. But only a government this weak and externally controlled would accept it without a fight,” added another MEP, former Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk.
Marchewka to resign?
Former Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Marek Gróbarczyk, has called for the dismissal of Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Arkadiusz Marchewka. In an interview with Radio Zet, Marchewka declared that the Polish side would fight to preserve the investment.
“The container terminal in Świnoujście is one of the Polish government’s priority investments. We will not back down an inch,” he said.
Who is behind Lebensraum Vorpommern?
MEP and former head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Michał Dworczyk, pointed out that the organization Lebensraum Vorpommern was also involved in obstructing the construction of the nuclear power plant in Choczewo. The organization’s voice is also being heard in the context of the natural resource deposit recently discovered in the Baltic Sea.