The resolution, drafted by MPs with the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, was voted through on Thursday evening, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Entitled “A Resolution on Foreign Interference in Poland’s Electoral Process,” the document passed on a 234-175 vote with 10 abstentions.
According to ruling party lawmakers, it represents a response to a recent statement by a top German member of European Parliament, Manfred Weber.
On August 6, Weber, who leads the conservative European People’s Party (EPP) grouping in the European Parliament, said that parties such as “PiS in Poland, are opponents for us and will be fought by us,” the PAP news agency reported.
Weber also told German public broadcaster ZDF that “any party must accept the rule of law,” adding: “This is the firewall against the PiS representatives in Poland, who systematically attack the rule of law and the free media.”
On August 8, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki challenged Weber to a televised debate, saying on social media: “As the prime minister of the Polish government, which represents a democratically elected parliamentary majority, I won’t allow the choices of the Polish people to be slandered in this way.”
Polish MPs said in their resolution on Thursday that “the military language used by politicians who … regard themselves as model Europeans,” and “any ambitions to influence the Polish political scene by outside forces and influences, are ... an unacceptable interference in the electoral process, contrary to European values and the principle of democracy and national sovereignty.”
The resolution added: “Poland regards any foreign interference in the Polish electoral process as hostile action against the Polish state and will combat it in a firm manner.”
Poles will head to the ballot box on October 15 to elect 460 new MPs and 100 senators for a four-year term.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP