In response to the recent resolution passed by the European Parliament, Radosław Fogiel, the head of the Sejm’s Foreign Affairs Committee, strongly emphasized the independence of the Polish parliament from external influences, particularly the European Parliament. “The European Parliament is a political body and as such, it makes political statements. We are in no way bound by them. The Polish parliament is independent and certainly not subject to the European Parliament, despite what some may believe in Brussels,” Fogiel stated.
The resolution, adopted on Tuesday, criticized the establishment of a verification commission on Russian influence in Poland, as well as the amendment to the Electoral Law. Additionally, the amendment made to the Polish Electoral Code in March was also scrutinized by the European Parliament. Some Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed concerns that these changes could potentially discriminate against voters abroad. Furthermore, the resolution questioned the impartiality and independence of the chamber of the Polish Supreme Court responsible for handling electoral disputes. The resolution called upon the Polish authorities to align the conduct of elections with the standards set by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other international commitments and democratic norms. The European Parliament also urged for a comprehensive observation mission during the upcoming parliamentary elections in Poland.
With 472 votes in favor, 136 against, and 16 abstentions, the resolution was adopted. Polish MEPs from various parties, including Civic Platform, Poland 2050, New Left, and SLD, voted in favor of the document, while Law and Justice MEPs voted against it. PSL MEPs did not participate in the vote.
Responding to the resolution, Fogiel expressed skepticism about the knowledge possessed by the MEPs who supported it. He argued that only a few out of the 470 individuals truly understood the subject matter and had thoroughly reviewed the electoral code. He further criticized those calling for the rule of law in Poland, suggesting that they themselves were implicated in the ongoing Katargate affair.
“The European Parliament is a political body and therefore makes its own political statements. We are in no way obliged to take them seriously. How can we give credence to an institution and a document that criticizes Poland for actions that are supported by the OSCE, among others? Most of the authors of this resolution have no real understanding of the situation in Poland and are overshadowed by our opposition colleagues,”
Fogiel asserted.
He concluded by reiterating that the Polish parliament remains independent and is not subject to the authority of the European Parliament, despite any perceptions in Brussels.