Former President Miloš Zeman, widely regarded in the European Union as a figure known for political controversies and sharp rhetoric, hosted a lavish celebration at a hotel in Hluboká nad Vltavou.
According to media reports in the Czech Republic, President Duda attended the 80th birthday celebration of former President Miloš Zeman alongside figures such as Viktor Orbán, the presidents of Slovakia and Serbia, along with the prime ministers of Hungary and Slovakia.
“Czech communists, populists, pro-Russian politicians, and disinformation agents were also strongly represented at the event,” reported Czech journalist Filip Harzer from the independent news portal Seznam Zprávy.
"It is very interesting that President Andrzej Duda has not mentioned anywhere that he attended the celebration of Miloš Zeman's 80th birthday yesterday", wrote Filip Harzer in a post on X.com.
There is no information regarding his participation in the event on the official profiles of the Chancellery of the President of Poland, despite the fact that Andrzej Duda traveled to the celebration by presidential plane.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced via social media that President Duda's visit was consulted with the ministry but was discouraged “due to the company” he would be keeping.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticized President Duda's attendance at Zeman's birthday celebration, suggesting that “it does not build his authority.” On Radio TOK FM, Minister Sikorski confirmed that the president had been advised against participating in the event. According to Poland's top diplomat, such a visit could “create a negative impression, particularly in Poland.”
TVN24 pointed out the company that celebrated alongside the controversial politician on his birthday. “These were people and European politicians with whom it seems a leader of a democratic country like Poland should not sit at the same table,” noted Agata Adamek.
Source: PAP/TOK FM/TVN24/X/Filip Harzer/Seznam Zprávy
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