Poland to replace ambassadors in over 50 countries
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Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said he would recall over 50 of the country's ambassadors to address Poland's foreign policy challenges.
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Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski speaks while meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, not pictured, Monday, February 26, 2024, at the State Department in Washington. (AP)
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has opted to recall over 50 of the country's ambassadors, and will withdraw approximately a dozen candidates proposed by the previous government in Warsaw, according to a statement on Wednesday.
Following approval by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the recall procedures have been initiated. The Foreign Ministry stated that these changes aim to address Poland's foreign policy challenges more effectively and professionally. It also expressed hope for collaboration among key authorities in the country on this matter. On the other hand, President Andrzej Duda said the PM can't cancel or appoint an ambassador without presidential approval.
Tusk and Duda have experienced sharp disagreements on domestic matters, including judicial reforms, government control over public media, and the trajectory of major investment initiatives. One day before, Tusk declared on national television that he and Sikorski would request a "significant overhaul in embassies" from the president.
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“If there is no other option, we will recall ambassadors to the country and until the president’s position changes, or until the president changes, diplomats currently acting as charge d’affaires will serve as ambassadors,” Tusk insisted. “Either way, we have to improve and build a team loyal to the Polish state.”
He argued that the move was “not a retaliation” and that many ambassadors “certainly deserved to continue their work.”
Earlier this year, President Duda clashed with the newly elected pro-EU PM and his government when the president pledged not to approve any bills proposed by Tusk's new cabinet. A significant source of conflict arose from the arrest of former Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski and his deputy, following the reopening of a legal case against them at the request of Tusk's government. The duo had previously been convicted of abuse of power but received a pardon in 2015, which Tusk's cabinet argued was not within the president's authority to grant.
Tusk was sworn into office at the end of last year, succeeding the previous prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, after Morawiecki failed to obtain a vote of confidence in parliament.
