Tusk and Sikorski accuse PiS of seeking Polexit
Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Poland’s largest opposition party, suggested during an hour-long speech at the Krynica Forum that Poland and certain allied European Union member states could launch a process to leave the EU if reform efforts fail. He told the annual conference that a window of opportunity for reform may appear because different governments will hold elections in Poland, France, and Spain within the year. Kaczynski proposed that PiS could work with similar governments to influence public opinion, identify treaty breaches, or create a blocking minority in the European Council. He noted PiS has previously enjoyed close relations with Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party in France and the nationalist Vox party in Spain. He suggested that these states could also try to change EU treaties. If these approaches fail to yield results, he warned that states wanting change could conclude a new treaty with the elements they seek, but with a delayed entry into force. He noted that EU treaties include provisions for a state to withdraw and suggested that Poland should simply begin these negotiations.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the remarks, writing on X that Kaczynski announced Poland should begin negotiations on the terms of its withdrawal from the EU. Tusk said the upcoming parliamentary elections next year will decide whether Poland remains in the European Union or leaves it. Foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski also accused the opposition of wanting Polexit, noting that such a move would lead to customs borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Lithuania, alongside an end to subsidies for farmers and investments. Kaczynski responded that "Tusk is lying as usual" and insisted he wants to reform the EU to benefit ordinary citizens rather than elites. PiS deputy leader Przemyslaw Czarnek said his party is considering all scenarios, including the possibility that the EU will kill itself, but maintained that PiS has no plans to leave the EU.
Economic ties and shifting polling data
The Polish government under Tusk, who served as president of the European Council before taking power in 2023, improved relations with Brussels after the period of friction under the PiS administration from 2015 to 2023. Poland remains the largest net recipient of EU funding, and a study published earlier this year found the country’s economy is 42% larger than it would have been without EU membership.
Public opinion regarding the bloc shows shifting trends. While opposition to EU membership fell to a record low of 5% in 2022, it has since risen to 14% according to the most recent survey by the state research agency CBOS. This rise in opposition coincides with increased support for anti-EU far-right parties. Kaczynski intends to use elections in Poland, France, and Spain to find allies for his reform agenda because he believes new governments could emerge. He believes the EU requires thorough reform so it benefits ordinary citizens instead of the elites. Foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski claimed that PiS actually wants Polexit, which would lead to customs borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Lithuania as well as an end to subsidies for farmers and investments.
