By not participating in this ceremony, President Andrzej Duda deprived himself of the attention that this situation truly deserves. I think he did it to be angry, said TVN24 reporter Agata Adamek in the “V Kuluarach” program. Despite the official invitation of the Prime Minister, the President did not attend the opening ceremony of Poland’s presidency in the Council of the European Union.
On Friday evening, the opening ceremony of Poland’s presidency in the Council of the European Union was held in the Grand Theater of Warsaw. Despite the official invitation, President Andrzej Duda did not attend. The head of state was represented by the adviser to the president, Voyseh Gervel.
READ ALSO: Opening of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union without Andrzej Duda
The head of the presidential office, Malgorzata Paprochka, in a message received by TVN24’s “Facti Po Pomnogo” reporter Piotr Parol, said, among other things, that “after sending the invitation, there was no contact with the Prime Minister’s Office. The Minister or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard. ” “We can conclude from this that this was not an important event for the organizers,” she wrote.
The Deputy State Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, Agnieszka Ruczynska, announced on Platform X that the official invitation to the opening ceremony of the Polish Presidency in the Council of the European Union, signed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, was sent to the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland. He added that on December 31, the prime minister’s chancellor received a response that “the president is represented by the deputy head of the prime minister’s office, Piotr Chwik.” “Everything is in order,” emphasized Rucinska.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, an internet user sent Kontakt24 a photo of Andrzej Duda in ski clothes on the slopes of Klushkovce. As the internet user added, the president was accompanied by at least two bodyguards. The presence of the president on the slopes was confirmed by the representative of the Czorsztyn ski center in Klushkowce in an interview with tvn24.pl.
“Dear Mr. President.” What was in the prime minister’s invitation?
TVN24 reporter Radomir Vit showed the official invitation sent to the president’s office in the “V Kuluarach” program.
– This is a letter signed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and sent to President Andrzej Duda. This was the letter that reached the office of the president on December 29, he announced and read its contents.
– Dear Mr. President, from January 1, 2025, Poland (for the second time) will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union and manage its work for six months. This is a special privilege, but also a great duty. The effectiveness of the European Union at this important historical moment will depend more on Poland’s presidency. I believe that we will fully use this opportunity. On the occasion of this special occasion, I would like to invite you and your spouse to the opening ceremony of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event will take place on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. at the Grand National Opera House in Warsaw. Sincerely, Donald Tusk – he quoted.
Radomir Vit showed the invitation sent to Andrzej DudaTVN24
– He did himself a disservice by not coming to the meeting.
TVN24 reporter Agata Adamek said, “President Andrzej Duda, by not participating in this ceremony, really deprived himself of the attention he deserves in this situation.” – I think that he did this out of spite for not coming to the meeting, – she said.
However, he noted that the president was seen on the ski slope in Klushkovce. – He was on this slope since Saturday morning. If anyone is a skier, they know how long it takes to pack a ski. So he may have closed on Friday night just to ski. Had he gone on Sunday, there might have been less criticism of him. But yes, the problem is known, said the journalist.
>> “You could say it right away, in human terms, everyone would understand.” Tusk about Duda’s absence <
In her opinion, it is interesting that the president has appointed counselor Voyseh Gervel as his representative. – I checked what Minister Gervel does in the office of the President and what is his political resume. In short, what was behind the decision to send him? Well, when he was there, he was dealing with non-European policy at the Foreign Office. The Asian market, in particular. He said that at one time he was also the ambassador in Vietnam.
Adamek: the president did this to provoke him not to come to this meeting TVN24
Event “primarily dedicated to Polish citizens”
Piotr Krasko noted that the president’s entourage, explaining the presence of Andrzej Duda, pointed to the presence of politicians such as the head of the European Commission or the head of the European Parliament.
– It is Poland that takes over the presidency of the European Union, this event will be held in Poland, it is primarily dedicated to the citizens of Poland. Roberta Metzola is a citizen of Malta, I am sure that if there is something important related to Malta’s presidency in the European Union, she will be present in Malta – TVN “Fakti” journalist said.
European Council President Antonio Costa was present at the event in Warsaw.
Krasko: it was an event mainly dedicated to Polish citizens TVN24
Main photo source: TVN24
