Yet here it happened – during noon, a Polish person, despite his own government opposition, is elected for the highest rank in the European Union, and during the evening news, the prime minister of the very same country congratulates POLAND on its great accomplishment!
Donald Tusk’s win should be treated as a warning sign, an affront of the European Union towards Poland and its current authority. The result of voting 27:1 is a strong signal of the upcoming marginalization and isolation of Poland. Even countries considered “strategic partners” Hungary, Great Britain decided to follow the logical reasoning and voted for the Polish person.
This way, Donald Tusk, who is barely capable of carrying the responsibility of his function, got to carry it for another two and a half years.
Sadly, the situation above does not lead to positive conclusions.
The government made by Law and Justice (in Poland called PiS) will gladly use anti-European rhetoric for the benefit off how it wants to be viewed by outsiders. Our country will end up being a “victim of a European conspiracy,” a subject of Brussels manipulation, etc.
On the other hand, European Union has, frankly, no reason to tolerate a country, which openly disrespects the majority of other members and principles that have led Poland to joining the Union, to begin with.
There will be two or more speeds, or “paces” in the European Union. The situation described above is a dream excuse for those who are openly Euro-skeptical in the West. Many have said, openly, that the East is not mature enough to handle the privileges that come with the membership…
For Ukraine, the lowering of standing of Poland in the EU is not a good sign, either. Even when Poland attempts to take charge and speaks loudly, it won’t be treated as seriously as it used to be until now.
One can only hope that, just like in life, in politics everything can be somehow fixable in the future.
Marek Siwiec is ex-vice president of the European Parliament
