Jarosław Kaczyński, the leader of Poland’s ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, said on Tuesday that Szydło “simply paid for the fact that she represents a Catholic country and has Christian values.”
Kaczyński said that MEPs’ decision on Monday evening to reject Szydło for the European Parliament position was a surprise “because we had certain agreements struck at the highest level.”
It was the second time that Szydło, who hails from Law and Justice, was thwarted in her attempt to be elected as the head of the European Parliament’s employment and social affairs committee.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday: “We express deep disapproval of this type… behaviour, breaking agreements.”
He added: “There are some groups, mainly, it has to be said, leftists, trying to rock our European boat in order to create confusion and chaos.”
Morawiecki replaced Szydło as prime minister in late 2017, halfway through her Cabinet’s term in office.
Szydło’s government came into conflict with the EU over issues including sweeping reforms of courts in Poland.
(pk)
Source: PAP