Speaking on social media on Friday, 7 November, Tusk described the president’s decision as “another chapter in a war against the government.”
Polish PM accuses President Nawrocki of escalating tensions with government
The head of the Polish government stressed that the young officers, who had completed their studies and officer courses, were motivated by patriotism rather than career ambitions.
“These promotions were meant for 136 brave Poles, future intelligence and counterintelligence officers,” Tusk said, noting that such promotion requests are typically submitted to the President’s office before every 11 November.
“This time, the president decided not to approve them, and I don’t know why. Winning an election alone is not enough to be president,” he added, underlining escalating tensions between the executive and the presidency.
Polish officials condemn president’s refusal as “blow to state security”
Tomasz Siemoniak, the Coordinating Minister for Special Services, also condemned the decision on social media, describing it as “an unprecedented refusal to sign promotions for junior officers in the Internal Security Agency and the Military Counterintelligence Service, a blow to the state security system and an attack on those willing to serve Poland.”
Under Polish law, the president grants the first officer rank upon the request of the Minister of National Defence. In this case, the politicians come from different political backgrounds: President Karol Nawrocki is affiliated with the right-wing PiS party, while Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz represents PSL, which is part of Prime Minister Tusk’s ruling coalition.
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Source: Polish Radio English Service/PAP/X/@donaldtusk/@TomaszSiemoniak