“I understand the emotions of farmers. However, I can see that they are much smaller than I expected,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk argued, denying any responsibility for the imminent trade agreement with the Mercosur countries. Suggesting that the protesting farmers were “PiS activists,” he refused to meet with their delegation.
Thousands of farmers are protesting outside the Prime Minister’s Chancellery. A delegation entered the seat of the head of government. “If the prime minister had not received them, the delegation would have decided to stay and occupy the Prime Minister’s Chancellery,” one of the protest’s co-organizers said. The farmers intend to set up a “green camp” on Aleje Ujazdowskie.
After meeting with President Karol Nawrocki, Prime Minister Donald Tusk took part in a press conference. He was asked, among other things, about the protesting farmers.
“Honestly speaking, I expected a much larger demonstration. Regardless of the fact that a few PiS activists are trying to turn this demonstration into an anti-government movement, it is very hard to believe that people are protesting over Mercosur against a government that holds exactly the same position as the protesters. This is something very strange,” the prime minister said.
“Those who want to turn this into politics, namely PiS, bear the greatest responsibility for Mercosur coming into force. They had the time and the opportunity to weaken, delay, or stop this process. They did nothing in this matter,” he accused his opponents.
He emphasized that his government had “managed to introduce a safeguard clause.” “In reality, the interests of farmers are largely protected,” Tusk insisted.
He continued: “I understand the emotions of farmers. However, I see that they are much smaller than I expected. I understand these emotions, I share this view. What I do not understand, however, is why the Chancellery of the Prime Minister is the place where this protest is taking place. There is no internal logic to it.”
When asked for the third time about a possible meeting with farmers at the Chancellery, he replied: “You can ask that five more times.”