“This is yet another example of Minister Sikorski’s inconsistency. The latest agreement is being implemented. Donald Tusk has already provided his countersignature (…). I think that after Tusk signed off on the ambassadorial nomination, someone must have gotten a scolding because they quickly backtracked on what had been previously agreed upon,” said presidential minister Andrzej Dera when asked about the Foreign Minister’s remarks regarding ambassadorial appointments.
Sikorski Criticizes President Duda
On Saturday, in an interview with TVN24, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed frustration over the delays in appointing ambassadors. He reminded viewers that he had reached three agreements with President Duda and had more than fulfilled them.
“President Duda’s people are ambassadors in New York, London, Canada, Paris, Bucharest, the Vatican, and Beijing. And initially, the president only requested four,” Sikorski pointed out.
He added that “none of the three agreements were honored” by the president and announced that in the coming days, he would formally request in writing that Duda “refrain from processing further nominations.” Sikorski argued that it would be better for Poland’s diplomatic service if new ambassadors were appointed by the next president instead.
“Another Lack of Consistency”
On Sunday, presidential minister Andrzej Dera responded to Sikorski’s remarks on TVN24’s Kawa na Ławę program.
“This is yet another example of Minister Sikorski’s inconsistency. The latest agreement is being implemented. Donald Tusk has already provided his countersignature (…). I think that after Tusk signed off on the ambassadorial nomination, someone must have gotten a scolding because they quickly backtracked on what had been previously agreed upon,” Dera commented.
When asked whether this meant that President Duda would no longer sign any ambassadorial nominations, Dera replied that the president “is ready.”
“The agreement that respects both tradition and law is being upheld by the president. Why weren’t ambassadorial nominations issued? Because Radosław Sikorski declared that he would not follow tradition or legal provisions. The moment he relented, the process resumed. Donald Tusk has already signed off on another ambassadorial nomination, but now we see another reversal—because, what, the president is supposed to appoint ambassadors? Better to wait for the new one. Karol Nawrocki will follow the same rules as President Andrzej Duda,” Dera stated.
Ongoing Dispute Over Ambassadorial Appointments
Since March 2024, a dispute has been ongoing between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President Andrzej Duda over ambassadorial appointments. At that time, Foreign Minister Sikorski decided that over 50 ambassadors would end their missions, and several candidates nominated by the previous ministry leadership would be withdrawn. Meanwhile, President Duda emphasized that “no Polish ambassador can be appointed or dismissed without the president’s signature.”
In place of ambassadors who left their posts but were not formally dismissed by the president, the MFA assigned diplomats who, due to the ongoing conflict, do not hold ambassadorial status but serve as chargé d’affaires instead. This situation is exemplified in the U.S., where former Defense Minister Bogdan Klich from the PO-PSL government replaced Marek Magierowski. President Duda has repeatedly indicated that he does not consider Klich a suitable candidate for the position of ambassador to the U.S.