Sikorski, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said that "arguments are no longer enough – exorcisms are needed", adding: "The PiS chairman has lost touch with reality. Germany is our ally – both in NATO and in our European family."
His remarks came after PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński defended his party’s vote against legislation enabling Poland to implement the EU’s SAFE defence programme.
Kaczyński argued the scheme had "powerful political aspects" and was part of a German-led vision of a united Europe.
"Europe united under German leadership with all its consequences," he said, adding that Germany, as a "post-Nazi state", should "sit in a corner and apologise for being alive, not try to lead".
The PiS leader insisted that "Polish independence simply has no price", warning that the programme would amount to "Poland under the German boot. We reject that German boot."
Asked whether President Karol Nawrocki should veto the legislation, Kaczyński said he supported such a move, while stressing that the decision rests with the president.
Sikorski rejected the criticism, noting that Germany’s AAA credit rating helps secure "a very favourable 40-year loan with a ten-year grace period", which he said would benefit Poland’s finances, military and security.
He accused PiS of urging a veto out of "ideological zeal" because "they cannot bring themselves to admit that the EU has done something good for Poland".
The minister also stressed that the bill does not approve Poland’s participation in SAFE itself but creates "a more transparent institutional vehicle" to receive the funds.
"Mr President, you may veto – SAFE will happen anyway, the Polish Armed Forces will receive this money regardless," he said.
Under the EU programme, Poland could access about EUR 43.7 billion in low-interest loans for defence investment, with more than 80 percent of the funds intended for the domestic arms industry.
The scheme aims to strengthen EU defence through procurement primarily from European manufacturers, financing projects running until 2030.
Poland's lower house of parliament, the Sejm, passed the implementing legislation on Friday, enabling the creation of a special fund managed by state development bank BGK to distribute the money.
The bill will now be considered by the Senate.
(ał)
Source: PAP