Donald Tusk speaks of cooperation and national unity, yet he is pushing a bill aimed at weakening the role of the President of Poland in matters of national security. This is yet another step towards centralizing power within the government and sidelining the head of state.
Empty Appeals for Unity
On Thursday, Tusk urged all political forces to suspend disputes over war and peace in Ukraine, emphasizing that Poland and the entire West need full cooperation and solidarity.
“The international situation is so serious that we cannot afford internal disputes over our security. I call on all political forces and leaders to suspend disputes on the issue of war and peace in Ukraine and to unite in the face of threats from the East. Poland, Europe, and the entire West need full cooperation and solidarity today,”
Tusk stated on platform X.
Sytuacja międzynarodowa jest na tyle poważna, że nie możemy sobie pozwolić na kłótnie w kraju w sprawie naszego bezpieczeństwa. Wzywam wszystkie siły polityczne i liderów do zawieszenia sporów na temat wojny i pokoju w Ukrainie i jedności wobec zagrożeń ze Wschodu. Polska, Europa…
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) February 13, 2025
However, his words appear to be nothing more than empty rhetoric.
New Legislation Targeting the President
According to RMF FM journalist Krzysztof Berenda, Tusk’s government is set to introduce a new amendment to the Council of Ministers Act, effectively cutting the President’s representative out of key national security discussions.
“An interesting change in today’s (red.) government meeting: There will be a draft law on the Council of Ministers, in which Tusk’s government will cut off the President’s representative. Is that good? Everyone can judge for themselves,”
Berenda wrote on X.
Ciekawostka na posiedzeniu rządu jutro…
— Krzysztof Berenda (@k_berenda) February 17, 2025
Będzie projekt ustawy o Radzie Ministrów… W którym to projekcie Rząd @donaldtusk odetnie się nieco od @prezydentpl @AndrzejDuda…
Czy to dobrze? Każdy może osądzić samodzielnie. pic.twitter.com/wS16h9F2ou
The current law states: “A representative of the President of the Republic of Poland participates in a meeting of the Council of Ministers when matters concerning state security and defence are discussed.” The proposed change reads: “The Prime Minister may invite a representative of the President of the Republic of Poland to a meeting of the Council of Ministers when matters concerning state security and defence are discussed.”
This shift means that the presence of the President’s representative will now depend on the Prime Minister’s discretion rather than being a guaranteed right.
Political Maneuvering Instead of Genuine Cooperation
The reaction from opposition figures has been swift. “And that’s it when it comes to cooperation and solidarity in our country’s security…” Senator Marek Pęk commented. Meanwhile, MP Józefa Szczurek-Żelazko pointed out that Tusk’s move may stem from the realization that his candidate is unlikely to win the next presidential election.