The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to strengthen the defence of the European Union, including the amendment recognising the Shield of the East – the flagship task of Prime Minister Donald Tusk – as a flagship task for the common safety of the EU. The vote caused a storm in Polish politics, and the leaders of the PiS and Confederacy did not leave a dry thread on the decisions of MEPs.
EU Resolution: Shield East at the spotlight
The resolution passed in the European Parliament aimed at strengthening European defence. 1 key component was the amendment on the Shield of the East, a task aimed at enhancing the safety of the east flank of NATO and the EU. However, a real storm broke out in the Polish political space.
Representatives of the ruling coalition, including the Deputy Minister of National Defence, accused PiS and Confederacy MEPs of voting against Poland. EU Minister Adam Trapka accused the opposition of opposing the designation of the Shield of the East as a flagship project. Mr Michał Dworczyk powerfully denied these reports:
"We voted in favour of the amendment on the Shield East, but we did not support the full resolution" – told PAP.
Kaczyński: The Union violates Poland's sovereignty
PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński referred to the late evening vote, stressing that EU decisions endanger Poland's sovereignty.
"Independence is your own currency, your own budget, your own military. Giving up the ability to decide on our safety is losing sovereignty” – reminded PiS leader.
Kaczyński pointed out that the vote was not about real actions, but only about an image project:
"Today's vote in the European Parliament did not concern 'The Tartar East', which, unfortunately, has for months been simply a visual project, not a real one" – he added.
The PiS leader besides pointed to the wider problem of EU interference in associate States' competences:
"This is another example, following the fresh opinion of the TEU, which undermines the primacy of the Polish Constitution over European law, of interfering with the EU without grounds in the treaties in the competences of the associate States" It's written on his profile.
Bosak: Confederation against the transfer of EU competences
Krzysztof Bosak, 1 of the leaders of the Confederation, recalled the position of his group on the defence and sovereignty of Poland.
"Confederation has a clear position: We support strengthening the Polish Armed Forces and building the Polish defence industry" He stressed.
Bosak pointed out that his organization was opposed to the transfer of defence and arms competences to the EU, as well as to budgetary centralisation:
"We do not support the transfer of defence and arms competences to the EU. We besides do not support the transfer of budgetary competences to the EU, including the right to issue debt and impose taxes" – he added.
The PiS explains its position
PiS politicians, including Michał Dworczyk, published on Wednesday on platform X a broader justification for their party's decision. They stressed that although they supported the amendment concerning the Shield of the East, they could not support the full resolution due to its far-reaching consequences for Poland's sovereignty.
Today @pisorgpl voted against the EP resolution on the White Paper on the future of European defence. It was the only decision possible! Why? Come on in. pic.twitter.com/yxXTnZWZNf
— Michał Dworczyk (@michaldworczyk) March 12, 2025
Summary: Poland at the heart of disputes over the future of the EU
Voting in the European Parliament showed how deep the divisions in Polish policy concerning the future of the European Union are. Both the Law and the Confederation powerfully argue the transfer of further competences to EU level, which may affect Poland's further relations with the EU.
Continued here:
"Union violates Polish sovereignty". Shield East in the Fire of Criticism: Kaczyński and Bosak comment on the EP vote
