Andrzej Duda issued the warning during a speech at the presidential palace on Wednesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The president spoke after a ceremony to reappoint conservative leader Jarosław Kaczyński to the government, according to officials.
'One of the global superpowers' may attempt to interfere with Polish elections
Duda said, without naming Russia: “It’s not a secret that one of the global superpowers, which is located not too far from Poland, has likely attempted to interfere in the electoral processes of various countries across the world, including fellow superpowers, at least several times in recent years.”
He added: “This has been reported by media outlets and suggested by politicians from various countries.”
The president warned: “And so I don’t think anyone has any doubts that such attempts at interference from that direction may also take place in our country in the coming months. In various forms.”
Duda stated: “Attempts to distort electoral processes and influence the election campaign, the outcome of the election, are a real danger. And so the government and all the Polish authorities must intensify efforts to ensure national security.”
‘Poland needs new law to deepen cooperation between authorities’
Duda urged: “Poland needs a new law to deepen cooperation between national authorities and to enable the president to have a say in the appointments of Polish representatives to European institutions.”
The president added that challenges at home and abroad “require the best possible collaboration between Polish authorities.”
In early June, Duda submitted to parliament a draft law setting out the rules of cooperation for the country’s authorities in the run-up to Poland’s presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2025.
Under the presidential proposal, the government would need approval from the head of state to name candidates for various positions in the EU.
Moreover, the president would be entitled to attend the meetings of the European Council, which brings together EU heads of state or government, the PAP news agency reported.
Poland’s next general election is scheduled for the autumn. The exact date will be set by the president, with October 15 the earliest constitutionally possible date, according to news outlets.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Wednesday is day 483 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, polskieradio24.pl, 300polityka.pl
