The campaign is over, and the presidential elections are behind us. What does this mean? That Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government no longer needs to pretend it is independent from Brussels. Thus, Deputy Minister of Development and Technology Michał Baranowski has revealed the next steps regarding the EU-Mercosur agreement. At the same time, it is worth recalling what Rafał Trzaskowski had to say about this agreement just a few months ago—naturally, during the election campaign.
During the campaign, Rafał Trzaskowski, running as the Civic Coalition’s candidate, made numerous declarations. Among them, he claimed that certain EU initiatives were not in Poland’s interest and that, if elected president, he would not follow that path. Trzaskowski positioned himself as an opponent of the Mercosur agreement.
For example, in January of this year, during yet another farmers’ protest (which he did not attend), he released a video statement. In it, he declared his firm opposition to the EU-Mercosur deal.
“I say a firm ‘no’ to the EU-Mercosur agreement. While the standards imposed on food produced in Poland and the EU are becoming increasingly strict, products that do not meet any of these standards are being allowed onto the European market. That is not fair! It is simply unfair competition. It undermines our agriculture. Food security is fundamental, and only strong, domestic agriculture can ensure it,” he stated.
After the Campaign, After the Elections
At the time, both the opposition and independent media warned that halting the implementation of certain EU policies was a temporary measure tied solely to the election period. There were suggestions that this strategy had been agreed upon in Brussels. In short, everything was done to secure a victory for Rafał Trzaskowski.
Now that the elections are over, however, the government can “move full speed ahead.” Deputy Minister Michał Baranowski proudly announced on the X platform that the government is now actively pursuing a “balanced and sustainable agreement.”
“Regarding Mercosur, we are awaiting the final text and are addressing the concerns of Member States. Once the proposal reaches us, we enter the final stretch—diversification remains key as we strive for a balanced and sustainable agreement,” Baranowski posted.
Jabłoński: “They Lied!”
Baranowski’s post was shared by Paweł Jabłoński, a Member of Parliament from the Law and Justice party. He pointed out that the December 13 coalition had taken a very different stance on the Mercosur agreement during the campaign.
“It’s confirmed! Before the election, they LIED—claiming they would block the Mercosur deal, which threatens to devastate Polish agriculture. But now, after the election, Minister Michał Baranowski openly admits—they are not only refusing to block the agreement, they are actively working to see it implemented!” Jabłoński wrote.