On 22 March 2023, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on strengthening the defence of the European Union. This paper implies the creation of a common EU safety and defence policy, which, according to any politicians, may undermine the sovereignty of the associate States. PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński described this as “a failure of sovereignty” and stressed that “independence is its own currency, its own budget, its own military”.
The EP resolution was adopted by a large majority (419 to 204), and MEPs of the Law and the Confederation voted against it. Their argument was that the paper strikes NATO, and besides compromises the rule of unanimity and makes EU countries lose real influence on their own defence.
According to Euro MP Michał Dworczyk, the organization supported the amendment on the Shield East, but voted against the full resolution for "seven reasons". These included, among others, the deficiency of provisions on solidarity in associate States' defence spending and the promotion of European defence equipment production.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, referring to the EP vote, wrote that "We are doing everything to guarantee that Poland is safe, that the Shield of the East is simply a common task for all Europe." However, in his opinion, “only Russian supporters voted against”, including... the PiS.
EU Minister Adam Sz Trapka besides criticised the decision of the Euro MPs of the Law and Justice, saying that their vote against the resolution could not be defended. He pointed out that "41 EHR Members, to whom he was responsible, including Italy, voted in favour of a resolution strengthening Europe's security".
The debate around the EP resolution and its impact on the sovereignty of the associate States is very important. According to Eurobarometer, in 2022 71% of Poles felt that the EU should have a greater impact on safety policy.
However, on the another hand, a survey conducted by the Pew investigation Center in 2020 revealed that as many as 60% of Poles believe that NATO is more reliable on safety issues than the EU.
It is worth noting that defence spending in Poland is about 2.2% of GDP, which is above the EU average. According to the Ministry of Defence data, in 2022 Poland spent over 50 billion PLN on defence.
The debate around the EP resolution and its impact on the sovereignty of the associate States is very important. Both the PiS and the PO have different approaches to this issue. Time will show the further consequences of this decision for the safety and sovereignty of Poland.
It is besides worth noting that the Shield of the East is simply a task aimed at strengthening the safety of the east border of the EU. According to the Ministry of Interior data, more than 20 1000 illegal immigrants were detained on the Polish-Belarusian border in 2022.
Finally, it is worth noting that sovereignty is simply a concept that is closely related to independence. According to the Central Statistical Office data, in 2022 83% of Poles were of the opinion that independency was the most crucial value for our country.
It can so be concluded that the debate on the EP resolution and its impact on the sovereignty of the associate States is very important. Both the PiS and the PO have different approaches to this issue, and time will show what further consequences this decision will have for the safety and sovereignty of Poland.
