The essence of the Polish political conflict is the European Union’s “forceful transformation.” Two opposing camps in Poland are locked in fierce confrontation—on the surface, it appears to be a power struggle between the prime minister and the president, but in reality, it reflects the EU’s imposition of its will into Poland’s internal affairs through forceful intervention.

Prime Minister Tusk serves as a representative of Brussels. A former president of the European Council, he has made compliance with EU demands a central theme in his campaign and governance.

He moves effortlessly between the EU institutions and Polish politics, enjoying smooth access and influence on both sides.

Upon taking office, he immediately unfroze EU funds that had been withheld under the previous administration.

Co-incidence?

No—it was a transaction, a quid pro quo.

The EU has made no secret of linking financial disbursements to reforms in Poland’s judicial system according to its own standards.

Tusk has been portrayed as a “model student,” a guarantor of the rule of law as defined by Brussels.

There is no free lunch—he must deliver on his commitments.

In short: Tusk functions as a useful “EU vassal,” accepting the primacy of EU law over Poland’s constitution, even when the two conflict.

On the other side, the opposition resists this transfer of sovereignty, maintaining that the constitution remains the supreme legal authority within Polish territory, and that EU law cannot automatically take precedence, especially when it touches upon core national principles.

They seek to distance themselves from certain EU obligations, precisely because the EU has encroached upon what they regard as the core of Polish sovereignty: the judiciary, immigration policy, among others.

This confrontation is not neutral on the part of the EU.

The EU has already taken sides, providing consistent support and funding to one faction.

The contest in Poland is not merely an internal matter—it is fundamentally about the EU itself.

A fundamental question emerges: Is the EU a cooperative framework among sovereign states, or a higher legal order that imposes its will regardless of national consent?

Tusk has answered with action.

The opposition has also responded with action.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880537741943817/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.