The president's meeting with generals without the consent of the head of the Ministry of National Defense. Kosiniak-Kamysz reacts
Karol Nawrocki bypassed the head of the Ministry of National Defense and called the generals. “I talked to the president about it.”
After the meeting of the PSL Supreme Council, Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz spoke about the circumstances in which the meeting between the president and the generals took place.
— The invitation was sent to the generals and to my knowledge. The generals asked me for permission, as they always do, they pass on information. I know well what the political system is like in Poland. I talked at length with the president last Thursday about the constitutional role of the minister of national defense in peacetime. The president's authority in peacetime is exercised by the Minister of National Defense. There are no exceptions here, Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized at the briefing.
He recalled that “the Act on the office of the Minister of National Defense clearly and precisely defines that all decisions of a personal and strategic nature are made by the Minister of National Defense.”
— There is a group in the constitution, in fact four general positions today, where the decision to appoint is made by the president, but the prime minister's countersignature in this matter is also required. Everything else in the Polish army, even delegating officers to the National Security Bureau, which is the president's office, is a decision of the Minister of National Defense. And I understand that no one will question the constitutional order of the Polish state – he pointed out.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense comments on the reports. “The loyalty of the generals is at the highest level”
He added that is happy that “the generals' loyalty to the principles of the state and the law is very far-reaching.” – Nothing can be done in this matter without the knowledge and involvement of the Minister of National Defense – he emphasized.
He repeated that “all officers and generals who are invited to the president (…) always ask me for permission whether they can take part in such a meeting.”
— This is very loyal and also the right thing to do. I understand that the president can talk, after all, no one will limit the president's right to talk, but decisions will be made with the participation and with the participation of the Minister of National Defense, with his acting voice, because that is what the constitution provides – said Kosiniak-Kamysz, emphasizing that “the generals' loyalty is at the highest level.”
