Taoiseach Enda Kenny visits Warsaw on Thursday for talks with his Polish counterpart, Beata Szydlo, two EU leaders united in a hurried hunt for post-Brexit partners.
At a joint press conference, the two leaders will stress their countries’ flourishing ties: €3 billion in bilateral trade and a thriving Polish community of more than 120,000 people in Ireland.
For his part, Mr Kenny will be keen to reiterate Dublin’s commitment to the EU, flag Ireland’s unique Brexit challenges, and hopefully win Warsaw as an ally to the Irish cause when divorce talks begin next month.
That complements the search of Ms Szydlo and her national conservative Law and Justice (PiS) administration for new European alliances when Britain leaves the bloc.
After German chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit on Tuesday, many Poles will be watching to see how Mr Kenny broaches Warsaw’s standoff with the European Commission amid concerns over the rule of law in Poland.
Since taking office in November 2015, PiS has sparked huge controversy for bringing state media under its direct control and for paralysing legislative oversight from the constitutional tribunal in a row over judicial appointments and court rulings. Brussels has launched an investigation into the state of Polish democracy amid fears that PiS is pushing the country in an illiberal, autocratic direction.
‘Clear risk’
Warsaw has until February 21st to respond to the commission’s concerns about a “clear risk” to the rule of law in Poland, the next stage in a complicated legal procedure that, technically at least, could end in sanctions.
Poland insists there is no longer a problem with the constitutional tribunal, following the recent retirement of its PiS-critical head. But during a joint press conference with Mrs Szydlo on Tuesday, Dr Merkel stressed the importance of a pluralist society, and an independent judiciary and media.
The German leader also met with opposition politicians who occupied the Sejm parliament for a month over Christmas after Ms Szydlo’s government excluded them from the budget vote in December.
Mr Kenny will meet business leaders at an Enterprise Ireland innovation event and attend a Bord Bia lunch and a reception at the residence of Irish ambassador Gerard Keown.
Both Irish and Polish leaders are anxious to be seen to be pushing an EU reform agenda that delivers concrete benefits for its citizens. Warsaw will be keen to sound out Mr Kenny on its desire for treaty change as part of its political agenda.
Veto
Poland is anxious to rein in the powers of the commission and the EU executive, and start a push to return powers, including that of veto, to member states. Such a shift is the urgent answer to Brexit, Warsaw officials argue, without which further member states will leave the union.
Dr Merkel and her officials refuse to consider such a step, saying it will paralyse the EU and open a Pandora’s box of national demands. Instead, they are pushing for further reform within the EU’s existing legal framework.
Given Ireland’s obligation to hold a referendum on any treaty change, Mr Kenny is likely to be similarly cool on the Polish idea.Nevertheless, his visit to Warsaw is well-timed. After spending its first year in office railing against the EU and Germany, Mrs Szydlo and her government have of late adopted a markedly more conciliatory tone towards both.
