Poland: Foreign Minister defends the EU against the growing temptation of a Polexit

Radoslaw Sikorski stressed that without European institutions, “the egoism of some would clash with the egoism of others,” with “dangerous consequences for the security and development of Poland.”

The Polish foreign minister made a strong pro-European plea in parliament on Thursday in the face of the rise of sovereignist opinions in a country where the temptation of a “Polexit” is no longer a taboo subject. “There can be no free, prosperous, and secure Poland without a strong European Union,” Sikorski argued in his annual speech on government foreign policy. The European integration of Poland, a member since 2004, is especially important in the context of “geopolitical uncertainty and dramatic events linked to the Russo-Ukrainian war.”

This stance is a response to concerns about the relationship of the Old Continent, especially Poland, with the United States under Donald Trump. According to a recent study by the United Survey institute, nearly one in four Poles supports the country’s exit from the EU, similar to the Brexit in the UK. This perspective is supported by almost half (47%) of the voters of the main opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS, nationalist), which was in power from 2015 to 2023.

“The egoism of some would clash with the egoism of others,” emphasized Sikorski, with “dangerous consequences for the security and development of Poland.” “Either we stay united, or the bigger powers will devour us,” warned Mr. Sikorski. “In Moscow, they rejoice at every manifestation of anti-European hysteria,” he added.

Apart from security concerns, the minister also mentioned the financial benefits of EU membership, noting that over the past twenty years, Warsaw has received nearly 268 billion euros, compared to 99 billion euros in contributions to the EU budget, resulting in a net balance of over 167 billion euros.

According to him, the potential cost of Poland leaving the EU in the first five to ten years would lead to “a GDP decrease of four to seven percent,” “a wage decrease of up to eight percent,” and “a decrease in exports of meat and dairy products by forty-five to fifty percent.” “And this is in a scenario of a smooth separation from the Union, not a sudden rupture,” emphasized the minister.