Tomasz Froelich, an alternate politician for Germany (AfD) of Polish origin, published a photograph from the Polish Sejm on social media. His visit to Poland caused controversy, especially in the context of earlier declarations by Marshal Szymon Hołownia, who stated that "the Polish parliament will stay closed to AfD".
Why did Froelich's visit spark a discussion?
Froelich came to Warsaw for Interparliamentary Conference on the Common abroad and safety Policy and the Common safety and Defence Policy. As he himself said in an interview with “Rzeczpospolita”, he had no problems entering the Sejm:
"Beyond me, no AfD politician attended this conference" – he said.
In consequence to a diary question Media Service Office of the Sejm Office It explained that the participants of the conference participated in it due to their parliamentary functions, not organization affiliation.
Greetings from the Inter-Parliamentary Conference for the Common abroad and safety Policy and the Common safety and Defence Policy at the Sejm of the Republic of Poland in Warsaw. pic.twitter.com/9SwFaE2Zmp
— Tomasz Froelich (@TomaszFroelich) March 24, 2025
AfD: ‘No area for cooperation’
A period ago, Marshal of the Sejm Simon Holovnia He explicitly declared that the Polish Parliament would not cooperate with AfD:
“There is no place for cooperation with those who want to revise Polish-German borders and undermine the foundations of the Polish state” He said.
His words came after the election to the German Bundestag, in which AfD won 20.8% of the vote, with the highest increase in support (+9.1pp) and taking second place.
Is AfD truly looking for a border review? Froelich responds
In an interview with Ewa Zajączkowska of the Froelich Confederation, he referred to the allegations that AfD wanted to change Polish-German borders:
“In AfD, I have not met a single individual who is reasoning of reviewing borders. As I tell members of our organization that there is simply a debate in Poland, that there is simply a border revision in AfD, they do not believe me.” – he argued.
The politician explained that the controversy arises from the usage of the historical word ‘Mitteldeutschland’ (Central Germany) by AfD president Alice Weidel. According to him, this is not related to territorial claims against Poland.
"Even a local public tv station is called that. In another German parties, specified as CDU or SPD, there were besides environments that did not accept the current border, which in AfD there is no" – added Froelich.
Will AfD have access to the Polish parliament?
Despite the Holowna's declaration, Froelich's visit shows that individual AfD politicians can participate in authoritative global events. However, cooperation at organization level remains excluded.
Conflict around AfD in Poland shows how delicate historical and safety issues are in Polish-German relations. Will there be a change in the position of Polish authorities in the future? It seems improbable so far.
“Mr Tusk, you are a Polish Angela Merkel. You are a Polish Ursula von der Leyen! And the worst thing is: you are arrogant of it!” My velocity is Donald Tusk yet with English subtitles. pic.twitter.com/PBDn45MIhB
— Tomasz Froelich (@TomaszFroelich) January 26, 2025
Continued here:
German politician from AfD greets the Polish Sejm despite the earlier ban on entry issued by Holovnia
